Some states still pushing drug testing for welfare

[mfcorey1]

From written tests designed to flag drug users to singling out people with recent drug convictions, state lawmakers across the country are pursuing novel strategies to deny welfare benefits to drug users without running afoul of a recent federal court ruling.

In December, a federal judge in Florida struck down the state's drug-test requirement. But almost half the states are considering drug-testing bills designed to withstand legal scrutiny. In Alabama, Indiana and Mississippi, such measures already have advanced by overwhelming majorities.

The movement is the latest iteration of a welfare drug-testing campaign that began gaining momentum about five years ago. Some lawmakers support the tests to help drug users on public assistance to get help. Others back them to make sure public dollars aren't subsidizing drug habits, or say it's simply about saving money.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/06/stateline-drug-testing-welfare-states/6118111/

[KansDem]

1. I would've thought the Trey Randel incident would've put the kibosh on this.

Randel: the Tea Party darling and staunch supporter of mandatory drug testing for public assistance recipients.

Boehner on Cocaine: One Law For Us, Another For Them

If there were any group of Americans who were supposed to be for the tragically ridiculous “War on Drugs” it would be Republicans in Congress right?

Apparently not. Not only was GOP Congressman Trey Radel arrested for cocaine possession, the Republican Speaker of the House can not even bring himself to condemn him.

Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), said the matter will be dealt with outside the halls of Congress.

“Members of Congress should be held to the highest standards, and the alleged crime will be handled by the courts,” Steel said. “Beyond that, this is between Representative Radel, his family and his constituents.”

You have to be kidding.

I am not a defender of fmr. Congressman Anthony Weiner, but sexting between adults, while ill-advised, isn’t actually a crime. Possessing cocaine clearly is, a felony in fact thanks in no small part to Republicans in Congress. Weiner was drummed out of Congress for being legally creepy, Radel has straight up broken federal law and according to the leader of the House Republicans it’s a matter “between Representative Radel, his family and his constituents.”

--more--
http://news.firedoglake.com/2013/11/20/speaker-boehner-unwilling-to-condemn-member-of-congress-arrested-for-cocaine-possession/

We do members of Congress get tested? Or go to prison for committing a felony?