In Washington Republican Senator Chuck Hagel said the worsening situation in Iraq may force the US to reintroduce the military draft.

During a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Hagel said “There’s not an American … that doesn’t understand what we are engaged in today and what the prospects are for the future. Why shouldn’t we ask all of our citizens to bear some responsibility and pay some price?”

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced Tuesday the Pentagon has drafted plans so it can quickly send more troops to Iraq if they are requested by General John Abizaid. 135,000 U.S. troops are already stationed in Iraq. But according to the New York Times any new forces will have to come from the National Guard reserves because the US has no more active duty troops available.