Legislative Background
Recent Action on Compulsory National Service
Federal programs that encourage national and community service have expanded significantly since passage of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, which created AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National Service. In recent years, with the continuing presence of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as elsewhere around the globe, proposals have been put forth to revive the military draft (suspended in 1973) as part of a universal national service program for young Americans.Legislation to Revive the Draft In January 2003, Representative Charles Rangel (NY-D) introduced H.R. 163, the Universal National Service Act. The legislation declared it…
