U.S. To Automatically Register Young Men For Selective Service
Selective Service submitted a proposed rule on March 30 to automatically enroll eligible men, aiming to implement the change by December 2026 under the 2026 NDAA signed in December 2025.
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USA TODAYEligible men will soon be automatically registered for military draft
Overview
The Selective Service System submitted a proposed rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on March 30 to automatically register eligible men for the draft, the agency said.
Congress authorized automatic registration in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law in December 2025, shifting registration from individual action to government enrollment.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said bringing back the draft is "not part of the current plan right now" while adding that the president "keeps his options on the table."
Selective Service reported that registration compliance fell to 81% in 2024, and failure to register remains a felony punishable by up to $250,000 in fines or up to five years in prison.
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs will review the proposal and the Selective Service said it will implement automatic registration by December 2026, and reinstating a draft would require Congress to amend the law, according to bill text.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this as procedural reporting, emphasizing legal background, timelines, and statistics while avoiding loaded rhetoric. They highlight the Selective Service filing, registration rates, penalties, and a White House quote, offering neutral context rather than advocacy. Coverage prioritizes facts and official sources over emotional or partisan framing.