Rangel Military Draft Bill, H.R. 163 Coming for a Vote
October 5, 2004H.R. 163, which was introduced by Charles Rangel (D-NY) and which would reinstate the military draft, is coming for a vote on the House floor today.
A rarely used "Suspension" rule is being used by the Republicans to swiftly move this bill out of committee without a vote and onto the House floor for passage or defeat. Under this rule no amendments will be offered, a 40-minute debate will be followed by an up or down vote, at which point it is expected to be defeated. The Republicans are responding to Kerry's rhetoric that if Bush is reelected the draft will be reinstated. The spin will be that the Republicans stopped the Democratic attempt to bring back the draft. Nevertheless bi-partisan support against conscription is needed to snuff out this dangerous flame.
The bill is expected to be on the floor around 6:00 PM Eastern Time.
One way to reach Democrats who might be supportive of the Rangel bill is to point out that if they vote for the Rangel Bill, they will be playing into the hands of the Republicans. The best message that can be sent is STRONG bipartisan opposition to the draft because the people of this country do not want a draft!!
Moreover the Rangel bill contains some fundamental flaws that are detrimental to the situation of conscientious objectors.
Call up your Representative now!!!
For more information on the horrible CO language in the Rangel bill, Click here.
To find out the phone numbers for your Representative go to www.congress.org and type in your zip code.
Let's defeat this now!!!
