House Rejects Democrat's Draft Bill

The House of Representatives voted 402 -2 to reject Democrat Charles Rangel's efforts to reinstate a draft. Even New York Democratic Congressman Rangel voted against the bill he introduced in on January 7, 2003.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports rumors about a secret plan to reinstate the draft led House leaders to force a vote that overwhelmingly rejected the bill to reinstate conscription:

"This campaign is a baseless, malevolent concoction of the Democrat Party, ''House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas said during a pointed, sometimes angry partisan debate. "It has one purpose and one purpose only ... to spread fear ... and undermine our commander in chief in an election year. Well, Mr. Speaker, it's a lie.''

Only Democratic Congressmen Jack Murtha, from Pennsylvania, and Pete Stark, from California, voted for the draft.

The draft rumors were used by the Democrats to try and increase opposition to the war. In June I posted that the Chicago Tribune reported that Rangel said his "draft" bill was meant to demonstrate his opposition to the war (unfortunately the link is no longer good). South Carolina Democrats even used draft rumors in a mailing warning recipients to vote or be drafted.

I'm glad that the Dems' Despicable Draft Deception has been defeated. Young people of draft age and their parents can rest easier.

Comments

[Amber]

I think I can write this thank goodness the draft is not coming back.

[California Yankee]

Digger, Thanks. I fixed it.

[Digger]

Your link to san fran chronicle is broken...