Washington – Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 under a bill that the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee says he will introduce next year.
Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., said Sunday he sees his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars.
“There’s no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm’s way,” Rangel said.
Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War who has unsuccessfully sponsored legislation on conscription in the past, has said the all- volunteer military disproportionately puts the burden of war on minorities and lower- income families.
Rangel said he will propose a measure early next year. While he said he is serious about the proposal, there is little evident support among the public or lawmakers for it.
In 2003, Rangel proposed a measure covering people ages 18 to 26. It was defeated 402-2 the next year. This year, he offered a plan to mandate military service for men and women between ages 18 and 42; it went nowhere in the Republican-led Congress.
Democrats will control the House and Senate come January because of their victories in the Nov. 7 election.
At a time when some lawmakers are urging the military to send more troops to Iraq, “I don’t see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft,” said Rangel. “I think to do so is hypocritical.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Standby Reserve, agreed that the U.S. does not have enough people in the military.
