FY2025 NDAA: Selective Service Registration Proposals (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Oct. 23, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IN12450 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Kristy N. Kamarck |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In deliberations around a National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 NDAA),
Congress is considering changes to Selective Service registration and associated penalties for failure to
register (see Table 1). The Military Selective Service Act (MSSA; 50 U.S.C. §§3801 et seq.) provides
statutory authority for the federal government to maintain an independent Selective Service Agency
responsible for managing the Selective Service System (SSS) and for providing qualified civilian men for
induction into the U.S. Armed Forces if authorized by Congress and the President. Under the MSSA, all
male U.S. citizens and most male noncitizen residents of the United States between the ages of 18 and 26
are required to proactively register with the SSS under 50 U.S.C. §3802. Women are currently not
required to register. Knowingly or willfully failing to register may result in certain federal and state
penalties including fines, imprisonment, and ineligibility for federal employment or workforce programs.
While the registration requirement remains in effect, the U.S. has had an all-volunteer force since 1973
and Congress has not passed any legislation since then to reinstate the draft induction authority. If
Congress and the President were to reinstate the draft induction authority, some deferments and
exemptions, including religious exemptions, would apply under current law.
