WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush applauded Tuesday the decision of the U.S. House of Representatives to reject legislation that would reinstate a military draft.
"America's all-volunteer military is the best in the world, and reinstating the draft would be bad policy," Bush said in a statement. "If this bill were presented to me, I would veto it."
The idea that a reinstatement of the draft was in the offing has been the subject of a whispering campaign started by Democrats that has grown louder in the days since the first presidential debate. The legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., and in the Senate by Sen. Ernest 'Fritz' Hollings, D-S.C.
"We have increased pay and benefits to ensure that our troops have the resources they need to fight and win the war on terror," Bush said, adding, "I want every American to understand that, as long as I am president, there will be no draft."
