Millions of Americans who have lost their jobs and are struggling to get by on unemployment checks while they look for work may not realize this yet, but Sen. Orrin Hatch has their backs:
Welfare and unemployment beneficiaries would have to pass a drug test to qualify for programs under an amendment offered Tuesday by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).
Hatch introduced an amendment to the tax extenders bill that would require those who are applying for some of the benefits in that bill, including unemployment and welfare benefits, to pass a drug test in exchange for the benefits.“Drugs are a scourge on our society — hurting children, families and communities alike,” Hatch said in a statement. “This amendment is a way to help people get off of drugs to become productive and healthy members of society, while ensuring that valuable taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted.”
Far be it from me to suggest that this amendment has nothing to do with helping drug addicts kick the habit, and everything to do with disqualifying as many jobless and poor Americans as possible from getting help, but how does denying unemployment and welfare benefits to applicants who test positive for drug use help their children, their families, and their communities? When did unemployment and poverty become a cure for the scourge of drugs on our society?
Dave Anderson resents the implication that he must be a drug addict because he is unemployed.
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