This is hr 393 or the revamp of the draft

H.R. 393: Universal National Service Act of 2007
110th CONGRESS
1st SessionH. R. 393To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the favorable treatment afforded combat pay under the earned income tax credit, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 10, 2007Mr. Rangel introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title; table of contents.

(a) Short title.—This Act may be cited as the “Universal National Service Act of 2007”.

(b) Table of contents.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.TITLE I—NATIONAL SERVICESec. 101. Definitions.Sec. 102. National service obligation.Sec. 103. Induction to perform national service.Sec. 104. Two-year period of national service.Sec. 105. Implementation by the President.Sec. 106. Examination and classification of persons.Sec. 107. Deferments and postponements.Sec. 108. Induction exemptions.Sec. 109. Conscientious objection.Sec. 110. Discharge following national service.Sec. 111. Registration of females under the Military Selective Service Act.Sec. 112. Relation of title to registration and induction authority of Military Selective Service Act.TITLE II—FAVORABLE TREATMENT OF COMBAT PAY UNDER EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT MADE PERMANENTSec. 201. Favorable treatment of combat pay under earned income tax credit made permanent.TITLE INational ServiceSEC. 101. Definitions.

In this title:

(1) The term “contingency operation” has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United States Code.

(2) The term “military service” means service performed as a member of an active or reserve component of the uniformed services.

(3) The term “national service” means military service or service in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the President, promotes the national defense, including national or community service and service related to homeland security.

(4) The term “Secretary concerned” means the Secretary of Defense with respect to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to the Public Health Service.

(5) The term “United States”, when used in a geographical sense, means the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

(6) The term “uniformed services” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commissioned corps of the Public Health Service.

SEC. 102. National service obligation.

(a) Obligation for service.—It is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform a period of national service as prescribed in this title unless exempted under the provisions of this title.

(b) Forms of national service.—The national service obligation under this title shall be performed either—

(1) as a member of an active or reserve component of the uniformed services; or

(2) in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the President, promotes the national defense, including national or community service and service related to homeland security.

(c) Age limits.—A person may be inducted under this title only if the person has attained the age of 18 and has not attained the age of 42.

SEC. 103. Induction to perform national service.

(a) Induction requirements.—The President shall provide for the induction of persons described in section 102(a) to perform their national service obligation.

(b) Limitation on induction for military service.—Persons described in section 102(a) may be inducted to perform military service only if—

(1) a declaration of war is in effect;

(2) the President declares a national emergency, which the President determines necessitates the induction of persons to perform military service, and immediately informs Congress of the reasons for the declaration and the need to induct persons for military service; or

(3) members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps are engaged in a contingency operation pursuant to a congressional authorization for the use of military force.

(c) Limitation on number of persons inducted for military service.—When the induction of persons for military service is authorized by subsection (b), the President shall determine the number of persons described in section 102(a) whose national service obligation is to be satisfied through military service based on—

(1) the authorized end strengths of the uniformed services; and

(2) the feasibility of the uniformed services to recruit sufficient volunteers to achieve such end-strength levels.

(3) provide a mechanism for the random selection of persons to be inducted to perform military service.

(d) Selection for induction.—

(1) Random selection for military service.—When the induction of persons for military service is authorized by subsection (b), the President shall utilize a mechanism for the random selection of persons to be inducted to perform military service.

(2) Civilian service.—Persons described in section 102(a) who do not volunteer to perform military service or are not inducted for military service shall perform their national service obligation in a civilian capacity pursuant to section 102(b)(2).

(e) Voluntary service.—A person subject to induction under this title may—

(1) volunteer to perform national service in lieu of being inducted; or

(2) request permission to be inducted at a time other than the time at which the person is otherwise called for induction.

SEC. 104. Two-year period of national service.

(a) General rule.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, the period of national service performed by a person under this title shall be two years.

(b) Grounds for extension.—At the discretion of the President, the period of military service for a member of the uniformed services under this title may be extended—

(1) with the consent of the member, for the purpose of furnishing hospitalization, medical, or surgical care for injury or illness incurred in line of duty; or

(2) for the purpose of requiring the member to compensate for any time lost to training for any cause.

(c) Early termination.—The period of national service for a person under this title shall be terminated before the end of such period under the following circumstances:

(1) The voluntary enlistment and active service of the person in an active or reserve component of the uniformed services for a period of at least two years, in which case the period of basic military training and education actually served by the person shall be counted toward the term of enlistment.

(2) The admission and service of the person as a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

(3) The enrollment and service of the person in an officer candidate program, if the person has signed an agreement to accept a Reserve commission in the appropriate service with an obligation to serve on active duty if such a commission is offered upon completion of the program.

(4) Such other grounds as the President may establish.

SEC. 105. Implementation by the President.

(a) In general.—The President shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title.

(b) Matter to be covered by regulations.—Such regulations shall include specification of the following:

(1) The types of civilian service that may be performed in order for a person to satisfy the person’s national service obligation under this title.

(2) Standards for satisfactory performance of civilian service and of penalties for failure to perform civilian service satisfactorily.

(3) The manner in which persons shall be selected for induction under this title, including the manner in which those selected will be notified of such selection.

(4) All other administrative matters in connection with the induction of persons under this title and the registration, examination, and classification of such persons.

(5) A means to determine questions or claims with respect to inclusion for, or exemption or deferment from induction under this title, including questions of conscientious objection.

(6) Standards for compensation and benefits for persons performing their national service obligation under this title through civilian service.

(7) Such other matters as the President determines necessary to carry out this title.

(c) Use of prior Act.—To the extent determined appropriate by the President, the President may use for purposes of this title the procedures provided in the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.), including procedures for registration, selection, and induction.

SEC. 106. Examination and classification of persons.

(a) Examination.—Every person subject to induction under this title shall, before induction, be physically and mentally examined and shall be classified as to fitness to perform national service.

(b) Different classification standards.—The President may apply different classification standards for fitness for military service and fitness for civilian service.

SEC. 107. Deferments and postponements.

(a) High school students.—A person who is pursuing a standard course of study, on a full-time basis, in a secondary school or similar institution of learning shall be entitled to have induction under this title postponed until the person—

(1) obtains a high school diploma;

(2) ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course of study; or

(3) attains the age of 20.

(b) Hardship and disability.—Deferments from national service under this title may be made for—

(1) extreme hardship; or

(2) physical or mental disability.

(c) Training capacity.—The President may postpone or suspend the induction of persons for military service under this title as necessary to limit the number of persons receiving basic military training and education to the maximum number that can be adequately trained.

(d) Termination.—No deferment or postponement of induction under this title shall continue after the cause of such deferment or postponement ceases.

SEC. 108. Induction exemptions.

(a) Qualifications.—No person may be inducted for military service under this title unless the person is acceptable to the Secretary concerned for training and meets the same health and physical qualifications applicable under section 505 of title 10, United States Code, to persons seeking original enlistment in a regular component of the Armed Forces.

(b) Other military service.—No person shall be liable for induction under this title who—

(1) is serving, or has served honorably for at least six months, in any component of the uniformed services on active duty; or

(2) is or becomes a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, a midshipman of a Navy accredited State maritime academy, a member of the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or the naval aviation college program, so long as that person satisfactorily continues in and completes at least two years training therein.

SEC. 109. Conscientious objection.

(a) Claims as conscientious objector.—Nothing in this title shall be construed to require a person to be subject to combatant training and service in the uniformed services, if that person, by reason of sincerely held moral, ethical, or religious beliefs, is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form.

(b) Alternative noncombatant or civilian service.—A person who claims exemption from combatant training and service under subsection (a) and whose claim is sustained by the local board shall—

(1) be assigned to noncombatant service (as defined by the President), if the person is inducted into the uniformed services; or

(2) be ordered by the local board, if found to be conscientiously opposed to participation in such noncombatant service, to perform national civilian service for the period specified in section 104(a) and subject to such regulations as the President may prescribe.

SEC. 110. Discharge following national service.

(a) Discharge.—Upon completion or termination of the obligation to perform national service under this title, a person shall be discharged from the uniformed services or from civilian service, as the case may be, and shall not be subject to any further service under this title.

(b) Coordination with other authorities.—Nothing in this section shall limit or prohibit the call to active service in the uniformed services of any person who is a member of a regular or reserve component of the uniformed services.

SEC. 111. Registration of females under the Military Selective Service Act.

(a) Registration required.—Section 3(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 453(a)) is amended—

(1) by striking “male” both places it appears;

(2) by inserting “or herself” after “himself”; and

(3) by striking “he” and inserting “the person”.

(b) Conforming amendment.—Section 16(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 466(a)) is amended by striking “men” and inserting “persons”.

SEC. 112. Relation of title to registration and induction authority of Military Selective Service Act.

(a) Registration.—Section 4 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 454) is amended by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:



“(h) This section does not apply with respect to the induction of persons into the Armed Forces pursuant to the Universal National Service Act of 2007.”.

(b) Induction.—Section 17(c) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 467(c)) is amended by striking “now or hereafter” and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting “inducted pursuant to the Universal National Service Act of 2007.”.

TITLE IIFavorable Treatment of Combat Pay Under Earned Income Tax Credit Made PermanentSEC. 201. Favorable treatment of combat pay under earned income tax credit made permanent.

(a) In general.—Clause (vi) of section 32(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining earned income) is amended to read as follows:



“(vi) a taxpayer may elect for any taxable year to treat amounts excluded from gross income by reason of section 112 as earned income.”.

(b) Effective date.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to taxable years ending after December 31, 2006.






The "Serve America act"

THE SERVE AMERICA ACT
A Legislative Initiative to Expand and Improve
Domestic and International Service Opportunities for All Americans
Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Senator Orrin Hatch
Themes
• Expand opportunities for people to serve at every stage of life.
• Use service to meet specific national challenges. Put service to work to solve our most pressing
challenges, such as tackling the dropout crisis and strengthening our schools; improving energy efficiency;
safeguarding the environment; improving health care in low-income communities; expanding economic
opportunities for low-income individuals; and preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies.
I. Ask Many More Americans to Give a Year to Solve Specific Challenges: Building on the success of
AmeriCorps, the legislation will create new, effective “Corps” focused on areas of national need. It will ask 175,000
Americans to give a year of service through these corps as part of a new national commitment to solve these
challenges, expanding the number of national service participants to 250,000.
II. Increase Opportunities to Serve by People of All Ages:
• For Students, Increase Service Early in Life: Service early in life will put more and more youth on a
path to a lifetime of service. The legislation will improve opportunities for young people in low income,
high-need communities to engage in service to improve their own communities.
• For Working Adults, Encourage Employers to Let Employees Serve, by establishing a tax incentive
for employers who allow employees to take paid leave for full-time service.
• For Retirees, Value Their Skills and Make Service Work for Them. Many retiring citizens are ready,
willing, and able to be involved in service and have skills the public needs – but none of the current
service programs are structured with their needs in mind. The legislation will enhance incentives for
retirees to give a year of service through the Corps, and will establish “Encore Fellowships” to help
retirees who wish to transition to longer-term public service.
• For Americans of All Ages, Increase Volunteering. Not all Americans can make a significant time
commitment to service, but many volunteer in other ways. The legislation will expand the volunteer pool
by establishing a “Volunteer Generation Fund” to help nonprofit organizations recruit and manage more
volunteers.
III. Support Innovation in the Nonprofit Sector: Social entrepreneurs who have launched innovative nonprofit
organizations such as Teach for America and Citizen Schools in Boston are experimenting with new solutions to
pressing problems. The legislation will recognize and support the role of effective social entrepreneurs in solving
our national challenges:
• Establish a Commission to study and improve how the federal government, nonprofits, and the private
sector work together to meet national challenges effectively.
• Apply Effective Business Strategies to the Nonprofit Sector, by establishing a network of “Community
Solution Funds” that are basically venture capital funds to help the nonprofit sector seek talent and put it
to work.
IV. Improve and Expand International Service and America’s Respect in the World
• Support for Short-Term International Service Opportunities: We must expand the Peace Corps so
more Americans can provide critical assistance to people across the globe while promoting America’s
international standing. But many skilled Americans are unable to give two years. The legislation will
strengthen the current “Volunteers for Prosperity” program, which coordinates and supports short-term
international service opportunities for skilled professionals to serve in developing nations.

Who is behind This act???
Obama Joins Kennedy, Colleagues to Renew Call for National Service: "Serve America Act" Will Increase Opportunities to Serve for Americans of All Ages Friday, September 12, 2008 Printable Format For Immediate Release
Contact: Melissa Wagoner (Kennedy) or Michael Ortiz (Obama)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Barack Obama today joined Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Orrin Hatch, John McCain, Chris Dodd, Thad Cochran and Hillary Rodham Clinton to introduce new legislation, the "Serve America Act," to expand opportunities for service for all Americans. The legislation will ask 175,000 more Americans to give a year of service to address specific national challenges, thereby expanding the number of national service participants to 250,000. The legislation will also increase opportunities for individuals to serve at every stage of their life and will support nonprofit organizations and social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to our most pressing problems.

"Time and again we've learned that large numbers of Americans are ready, willing, able, and even eager to be involved in service, and that all we have to do is ask them to do so. The Serve America Act will ask. It will connect every generation through service, and enable them to help tackle a wide range of national challenges, from the dropout crisis that plagues our schools to the lack of health care in our neediest communities to the energy and environmental crises that threaten our planet," said Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which oversees existing national and community service programs. "Many Americans are already answering the call to such service, by weatherizing homes, mentoring students, or working to bring clean water and life-saving vaccines to peoples in many lands. This legislation will dramatically expand opportunities for Americans willing to devote a year or more to address such challenges. It will draw on the talents and skills of every age group, such as by expanding opportunities for young people to improve their communities, and enabling retiring 'baby boomers' to transition to second careers in public service."

Senator Hatch said, "Volunteer service is the lifeblood of our republic. It brings out the best in people and strengthens our communities. Throughout history, Americans have stepped forward and volunteered to meet every challenge. Within each of us is a desire to help and serve our neighbors the world over; and yet, the hectic lifestyle we all live often crowds out our natural ability to give service. That is why my longtime friend, Senator Kennedy, and I are introducing the Serve America Act. This historic legislation will inspire and provide opportunities for civic-minded Americans to raise the bar of service and fulfill the destiny of the immortal words of 'America the Beautiful,' to 'more than self their country love. And mercy more than life!'"

"America faces more challenges today than ever before. And new challenges require a new level of commitment. By harnessing the talents and efforts of the American people, faith-based groups and nonprofit organizations, we can empower more people, improve more communities and tackle more of our nation's greatest challenges. That is precisely the intent of this bill, and I'm pleased to be working alongside Senator Kennedy to champion this important legislation."

"Every American can give back to their communities and help their fellow citizens through service," said Senator Obama. "Many Americans serve their nation through military service. Others serve by volunteering in schools, shelters, churches, hospitals, and disaster relief efforts. Still more are firefighters, teachers, or police officers. As a young man, I served as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, where I learned ways to create opportunities for other people to achieve their dreams. Our nation faces serious challenges in its neighborhoods and schools, and we must empower Americans with the resources they need to give back and improve their communities. I am proud to support this legislation and I commend Chairman Kennedy for his continued leadership in opening doors for public service opportunities."

Senator McCain said, "I believe we must inspire Americans to serve a cause greater than their own self interest. The benefits of investing your time and your effort in a worthy cause are beyond measure. That is why I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that will significantly increase the opportunities for Americans to engage in community and national public service."

"We are always at our best as a nation when Americans are united in a common cause, vested in each other and our country," said Dodd, a returned Peace Corps volunteer and a longtime advocate for national service. "We know that the 21st Century holds new tests and unprecedented challenges for America, but we also know that when called upon, every generation of Americans has risen to face whatever challenges lay before them, beating great odds to pass on a stronger and safer world to their children. By harnessing the skills of Americans of all ages and by inspiring them to use their skills to give back to their country through national service, I am confident that America will once again be able to meet any challenge set before us."

Senator Cochran said, "More than three years after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Mississippi Gulf Coast, students and adults from across our country continue to come to our state to serve in the rebuilding effort. These people have lifted the spirits of the Mississippians they have served, but I believe this type of service can change the lives of those who serve as well. I am proud to sponsor this legislation, which will encourage young people and adults alike to contribute to a cause greater than themselves, and in the process change both their lives the lives of those they serve.

"In the face of disaster and need, Americans across the country have shown they are ready and willing to serve, but we need to ask and encourage more people to make service a part of their lives. By giving more Americans the opportunity to get involved and work together, we can help meet so many of our challenges," said Senator Clinton.

Source : http://obama.senate.gov/press/080912-obama_joins_ken_1/
Serve America Act Co-SponsorsThe Serve America Act, introduced by Senators Kennedy and Hatch, is co-sponsored by the following Senators:

Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD]
Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY]
Sen Cochran, Thad [MS]
Sen Coleman, Norm [MN]
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT]
Sen Durbin, Richard [IL]
Sen Gregg, Judd [NH]
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA]
Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR]
Sen McCain, John [AZ]
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD]
Sen Murray, Patty [WA]
Sen Obama, Barack [IL]
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY]
Sen Smith, Gordon H. [OR]
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI]
Sen Wicker, Roger F. [MS]