By Tess VandenDolder | InTheCapital | Dec. 3, 2013
It’s a little frightening to me just how common drug testing is in America. From applying to a new job to simply trying out for a high school football team could require you to take the time to pee into a cup and prove to the federal government that you aren’t involved in recreational drug use. This prevalence of drug testing makes it seem only fair that members of Congress would have to go through the same process, just so we can be sure they aren’t just high the next time they try to repeal Obamacare.
A new HuffPost/YouGov poll shows that most Americans agree with this line of thinking. According to the poll, a whopping 78 percent of Americans favor random drug testing for members of Congress. 62 percent claim to be strongly in favor of this proposed rule. Of course, the unfortunate circumstances of Congressman Trey Radel of Florida, who last month was caught buying cocaine in Dupont Circle, is still probably fresh in most Americans minds. Plus, when have you ever watched a political drama that didn’t include an ambitious politician with substance abuse
problems?
Congress has proposed at various points during the fight over welfare the ethics of requiring recipients to take drug tests. This past year the House of Representatives voted to have food stamp recipients drug tested, while in 2012 the same chamber voted to require drug tests for those on unemployment benefits. On the state level, various localities already require drug tests for all those looking to get welfare benefits. However on the national level, only 64 percent of Americans support this plan, with the support overwhelmingly coming from Republicans.
The Huffington Post proposal however to have members of Congress drug tested has complete bipartisan support. Looks like people on both sides of the aisle would like some proof that those ranters and ravers on Capitol Hill are at least sober when legislating for the future of our country
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