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Rangel Says He Will Revive Legislation to Impose Military Draft
By Nadine Elsibai

Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic Representative Charles Rangel said he will again introduce legislation to revive a U.S. military draft when his party takes control of Congress in January.

Broad-based conscription for the military or public service would make U.S. leaders more cautious about going to war, Rangel, of New York, said on CBS's ``Face the Nation.''

``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,'' said Rangel, who is in line to become chairman of the Ways and Means Committee next year.

Military leaders spoke out against reinstating the draft when Rangel introduced such legislation in January 2003, prior to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Commanders such as Air Force General Richard Myers, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the current volunteer force was better trained and capable than the conscripted troops in the past.

Rangel's proposal didn't gain widespread support when he first made it, and it was rejected by the House. He's reviving the legislation as lawmakers and some military commanders say the armed forces are being stretched thin by the war in Iraq.

``I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft,'' said Rangel, 76, an Army veteran who opposed the Iraq war. ``I think to do so is hypocritical.''

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said that while the U.S. needs more military personnel to deal with Iraq and potential challenges elsewhere, the draft isn't needed now.

If the volunteer military fails to meet the needs of the U.S., ``we'll do what we have to, to win this war and defend this nation,'' Graham said on the CBS program.

Rangel said the draft would require ``a couple of years'' of service in the military or in other public agencies.

The U.S. military draft ended in 1973 as the nation disengaged from Vietnam. The government still requires most men to register once they turn 18 with Selective Service, which maintains a list of those who may be eligible for a draft in a crisis.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nadine Elsibai in Washington at [e-mail] .

Last Updated: November 19, 2006 14:13 EST

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