(Washington, D.C.)–A day after the former U.S. Administrator in Iraq faulted the Bush Administration for its failure to provide a sufficient number of troops for operations in Iraq, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday defeated a measure that would reinstitute a mandatory draft for U.S. citizens.  Congressman Jim Langevin opposed the measure, citing the need for troop increases through voluntary measures, rather than conscription.

 Before the nation can forcibly draft Americans into the armed services, Congress must pass legislation authorizing the draft and the President must sign the proposal into law.  The Universal National Service Act of 2003 would require that all young persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 26, including women, perform a two-year period of national service. This requirement could be met through military service or a period of civilian service in order to provide for increased national defense and homeland security.  Today’s vote demonstrates Congressional support for a volunteer professional military and opposition to reinstituting the draft. 

 “The current volunteer system continues to provide the United States with extremely qualified service-members,” said Congressman Langevin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.  “However, we must address the growing pressure on our military by increasing the size of our volunteer force and better allocating resources and equipment.  Our troops in Iraq and around the globe are doing a tremendous job, but they are stretched far too thin.”

 Yesterday, speaking before the Insurance Leadership Forum in West Virginia, the former U.S. Administrator in Iraq L. Paul Bremer contended that the Bush Administration made a crucial mistake in sending an insufficient number of U.S. troops to Iraq, exacerbating the chaos that erupted following Saddam’s removal from power.

 “The Bush Administration went to war in Iraq with an incomplete plan and misguided goals,” added Langevin.  “Rather than build a significant coalition of international partners, the Administration stormed into Iraq dangerously unprepared to keep the peace and protect our troops or the Iraqi people. ”

 The House version of the FY 2005 National Defense Authorization Act, which Langevin supported, would increase the number of active-duty service members in the Army by 30,000, and in the Marine Corps by 9,000.  This approach would maintain the existing volunteer system and provide the armed forces with the strength levels they need to be successful.  However, the Secretary of Defense has opposed increasing force levels and instead pursued other approaches such as activating the Individual Ready Reserve and sending National Guard and Reservists on repeated deployments. 

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