Washington, D.C. - -A peacetime draft won’t solve the problems weakening U.S. military readiness, says U.S. Representative Kevin Brady (R-Texas). Those problems are much deeper, says the only Texan on the House International Relations Committee, and are the result of confused foreign policy from the White House.

A recent Los Angeles Times story reported that some key members of Congress’ military committees are considering reviving the draft as a means to replenishing depleted and demoralized U.S. military forces.  The last draft, for young men ages 18 - 25, ended in 1973. 

“We are losing good people in part because our armed forces are poorly paid, lacking needed training and equipment, and stretched thinly across the globe for long periods away from their families,” says Brady. “You can, as the saying goes, work a good horse to death.”

But the most serious problem starts at the top.

“The world has changed and, unfortunately, the White House is lost as to America’s role in it. When you don’t know where you are going any road will do. America’s armed forces are paying a steep price for this confusion,” states Brady, pointing to a ten-fold increase in military deployments in foreign countries. 

“A forced draft is no substitute for a clear mission.”

The second term congressman is encouraged as Congress begins to replenish the depleted military with a proposed pay raise, renovated housing, much-needed maintenance, and a new commitment to readiness training and equipment. But that is not enough, says Brady.

“It’s time to responsibly and thoughtfully question America’s new military role as peacekeeper for the planet. Taking care of basic U.S. security alone will be enormously costly. Our first obligation is to make sure our military can prepare to defend America’s communities against the new 21st century threats of terrorism, chemical weapons and missiles from rogue nations. Common sense tells you that additional global responsibilities must be clearly defined for the sake of our military and for America’s allies,” states Brady.