News / Politics
Congressman Calls For Renewal of Military Draft
Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel plans on introducing a bill next year that will require Americans to sign up for a military draft after turning 18.
Rangel, a Korean War vet, believes that a draft would cause lawmakers to become more cautious before sending American troops off to war.
The incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee renewed his call for the draft during his appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday. Believing that a draft would lighten the burden placed upon minorities and the poor, Rangel said that if a draft was brought back American’s would not be as willing to commit troops to controversial battles.
Speaking on this topic Rangel said, “There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq ... 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 also said that a draft would bring young Americans a greater appreciation for their country.
The call for reinstituting the draft is not a new platform for the Democrat from New York. He proposed a bill two years ago that called for a draft but he ended up voting against the very bill he introduced.
