House Republicans moved in early October 2004 to bring a military draft bill to a floor vote, confident it would fail and put to rest widespread public anxiety about a possible return to compulsory service. The measure, introduced by Democratic Representative Charles Rangel of New York, would have required Americans between 18 and 26 to complete two years of national service, either in the armed forces or in a civilian defense-related role.
Republican leaders on the House Armed Services Committee said the bill had minimal support and was certain to be rejected. Rangel, a Korean War veteran, had argued the bill would distribute the military burden more equitably, saying it currently fell too heavily on urban working-class communities.
Fears of a draft revival had spread through internet forums and blogs as the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan intensified and the Pentagon struggled to maintain troop levels. Both President George W. Bush and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry publicly rejected any draft restoration.
Polling reflected strong opposition among younger Americans: a CBS/MTV survey of 18-to-29-year-olds found 78 percent against reinstating the draft for Iraq. A Fox News poll of registered voters found 41 percent would support a draft if troop shortages became critical, while 51 percent remained opposed.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in October 2004, in its own words.