From Involuntary Servitude as Mercenaries
(District of Columbia) -- Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage (R-ID), has introduced legislation to protect U.S. military personnel from the involuntary servitude of being forced to serve in foreign uniforms or under foreign military officers in military operations that are not Constituionally declared wars.
H.R. 4669, The Citizen Soldier Protection Act of 2000 is a bi-partisan bill, with both Democrats and Republicans signing on as original co-sponsors. Primary co-sponsor is Tom DeLay (R-TX). The bill, which is a clarification of existing law, does not preclude U.S. involvement in United Nations "peacekeeping operations," where American troops may still serve as volunteers. But it makes it clear that U.S. military personnel may not be forced to serve against their conscience. It is regarded as a fundamental definition of freedom, that citizens of a country may not be forcibly drafted into a military obligation that goes beyond their oath of exclusive allegiance to their own country.
Introduced by: Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage
Co-Sponsors (24):
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