Sen. Marco Rubio said Saturday that he could support making both men and women eligible to serve in the military if a draft is ever instituted again.
The father of four, including two daughters, applauded women who serve in combat roles, and said all women should be prepared to volunteer if there is a need.
“I have no problem whatsoever with people of either gender serving in combat so long as the minimum requirements necessary to do the job are not compromised,” Rubio said in the ABC News debate Saturday night.
The Florida senator, ranked third in the Washington Examiner‘s presidential power rankings, stopped short of calling women’s inclusion in a potential draft the most important issue facing the military. Instead, Rubio told the audience America’s shrinking Navy and Army are the most fundamental problems the Department of Defense is facing, and including women could turn that around.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush agreed, and said if women wish to join the military on the front lines, they are welcome to do so. He cited how increasing members would be part of a strategy to strengthen the armed services.
“I’m not suggesting have a draft. What I’m suggesting is that readiness ought to be the first priority of our military and that morale is high,” said Bush, who is ranked sixth.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also jumped in on the question of allowing women to participate in a draft. “Any woman who has a dream should be able to aspire to those dreams,” added Christie, who is ranked seventh.
