House Republicans Want
Random "Drug" Tests of All Representatives and Staff
"For Hearts and Minds Of America"
(Ed. note: Clearly the House Republicans have
lost control. They are letting their "drugs" policy be run by the most extreme
elements, which will ultimately be damaging to them. In the meantime, it is damaging to
the country.)WASHINGTON
March 26, 1998
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., announced Thursday that all House members and their
staffs would be subjected to random drug testing under a rule the Republicans are
proposing at a House subcommittee hearing.
The proposed rules change would require a vote of approval from
the full House. The chamber's as-yet-unused current drug-testing policy specifies testing
only with agreement of both Democratic and Republican leaders. An aide to Democratic
leader Richard Gephardt said the Missouri Democrat believes the new rule is unnecessary.
``Every office is free to test their own staff,'' Gephardt spokesman Erik Smith said. ``We
don't need any sweeping mandates placed on the House of Representatives.''
Rep. Gerald Solomon, R-N.Y., (Ed. note: Rep. Solomon may
single-handedly end the 2,500 year association between the name "Solomon" and
the word "wisdom.") and Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, are formulating the proposed plan, which would require that a quarter of
members and staff be tested for illegal drug use four to six times per year.
``We want to raise the level of awareness in the hearts and minds of the American
people,'' said Hastert, chairman of House Speaker Newt Gingrich's week-old Task
Force for a Drug-Free America.
Supported