Democrat: Let’s have mandatory national service

Measure orders U.S. citizens to perform duties under Obama for 2 years

WASHINGTON – MARCH 17: U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) speaks during a news conference on AIDS March 17, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. About 50 church leaders gathered on Capitol Hill to pushed for approval of the National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009 which with proposals for the government to fight against the deadly epidemic. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

A bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., would reinstate a compulsory military draft during wartime and require U.S. citizens not selected for military duty to perform a “national-service obligation” – as defined by President Obama – for a minimum of two years.

Rangel introduced the Universal National Service Act, or H.R. 5741, on July 15. The measure was referred to the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel on July 23.

Rangel introduced similar bills in 2003, 2006 and 2007. His current bill does not have a co-sponsor.

Rangel took to the floor of the House to reintroduce H.R. 5741, stating, “I have introduced legislation to reinstate the draft and to make it permanent during time of war. It is H.R. 5741, and what this does is to make everyone between the ages of 18 and 42 – whether they’re men or women, whether they’re straight or gay – to have the opportunity to defend this great country whenever the president truly believes that our national security is threatened.”