Is Congress considering reinstating the draft?
At the opening of the 108th Congress in January, Rep. Charlie Rangel of New York introduced legislation to reinstate the draft, a compulsory method of calling up men and women from ages 18-26 to serve in the military. His bill would require young Americans to enlist in the military or perform mandatory national service with no exemptions for higher education. The military draft ended thirty years ago when the U.S. armed forces pulled out of Vietnam. Since that time, the U.S. military has amassed its superior infrastructure, unparalleled weapons systems and advanced technology with a highly trained all-volunteer force. By no means is this the first time since 1973 that a proposal to revive the draft was floated in Washington. But this time, the congressional sponsors of the measure to bring back compulsory service also oppose military action against Iraq. They know it has scant chance of passing. The Pentagon opposes it. The White House opposes it. At this time, there’s no need for it.
