Rep. Charles Rangel wants Americans to “feel the burden” the U.S military goes through by reinstating a military draft and imposing a war tax.
The Democrat congressman and U.S. Army veteran introduced legislation this week to require all males and females aged 18 to 25 to register for the Select Service System.
His Draft Act also calls for a reinstatement of a draft lottery whenever an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) or declaration of war is in effect.
“Armed conflict is unpredictable, chaotic, and costly. When I served, the entire nation shared the sacrifices through the draft and increased taxes. But today, only a fraction of America shoulders the burden. If war is truly necessary, we must all come together to support and defend our nation,” Rangel said Thursday in a statement. “As a Korean War veteran, I know the toll war takes.”
Introduced separately, the War Tax Act levies a tax for war funds whenever Congress passes an authorization for the use of military force.
Rangel has introduced draft legislation every Congress since 2003, when the U.S. began military operations in Iraq, which he strongly opposed. However, these two bills come as lawmakers tussle over the Obama administration’s proposed AUMF against the Islamic State.
“I have long called for reinstating the military draft, simply because I believe strongly that a national decision to go to war must also include a broad commitment to share its burdens,” he said.
He added that he feels the same way in regards to “paying for wars,” noting that U.S. military action in both Iraq and Afghanistan have cost between $4 and $6 trillion.
“If we don’t have the will to fully share the burdens of war, then we have no right to send our sons and daughters into harm’s way,” Rangel said.
