(NewsNation) — Social media posts claiming that the United States has reinstated conscription are false, possible misinterpretations of a proposed amendment to the nation Conscription system.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a measure under the National Defense Authorization Act that would automatically enroll men ages 18 to 26 in the Selective Service System.
The federal agency keeps records of all individuals registered for military service, many of which are mandatory. The agency would share this information with the Department of Defense in the event of a draft, although it does not currently do so.
Since 1973, there has been no conscription in the country and registration for military service is voluntary. Men between the ages of 18 and 25 are already required by law to register for the Selective Service.
Under current law, anyone required to register who fails to do so can be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. according to the agency’s website.
Democratic Representative Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania supported this wording. She said in May This would make any future military draft fair and save money on the education and advertising campaigns currently aimed at getting people to register.
In 2024, there will be the smallest busy force since 1940.
Results from a report by the Pew Research Center suggest that only 23 percent of newborn people are fit for military service and that a majority of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 have an overall negative opinion of the armed forces.
