California lawmaker seeks more U.S. troops

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A House lawmaker wants U.S. military leaders to raise troop strength in the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force, Stars and Stripes reported Friday.

U.S. Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives, calling for an 8 percent increase in troop numbers across the three services.

The measure would increase the Army's active force end strength from 482,400 to 522,400; the Air Force from 359,300 to 388,000; and the Marine Corps from 175,000 to 190,000.

The military should brace itself for a possible mass exodus of disenchanted guard and reserve forces, she said, and more active duty forces could mitigate the blow.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said Tauscher's measure was not needed.