Orrin Hatch: Drug Test the Unemployed (Ryan Grim of Huffington Post)

Ryan Grim of Huffington Post:

Utah voters have reacted enthusiastically to Sen. Orrin Hatch's legislation to drug test the unemployed and those receiving other forms of government cash assistance, the Utah Republican told the Huffington Post after introducing his measure last week.

"A lot of people are saying, 'Hey, it's about time. Why do we keep giving money to people who are going to go use it on drugs instead of their families?'" Hatch said.

The goal, he said, is to get users into treatment.

"Now, it doesn't do away with food stamps. And it does get the help for them that they really need. And if they get the help, then they're right back on to the cash," he said.

He said he has gotten little feedback from his colleagues, however. Sens. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Scott Brown (R-Mass.) all told HuffPost they don't have an opinion yet on Hatch's measure and will have to study the language.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), meanwhile, has an opinion. "I think it's a punitive attitude. Who's going to pay for the test? What's the point of the test? You know, why do you want to drug test people who have lost their job?" she wondered.

Hatch said the test would be paid for with money saved by not paying benefits. "Any monies left over would go to help the states with the drug testing and so forth, and if there's any surplus it goes to pay off the deficit," he said.

Hatch, asked if he thought his legislation should apply to members of Congress, wasn't sure at first. "Well, if they're getting cash assistance. No member of Congress that I know of gets welfare," said Hatch, though that depends on one's definition of welfare. Hatch, however, said he has no objection to adding members of Congress to the program. "I don't see why members of Congress should be exempt from anything, to be honest with you. We ought to have to live with the laws everybody else has to live with," he said.
Link to Orrin Hatch article

Grandpa: the world is truly coming to an end!!!! Orrin Hatch assumed office in 1977...your visa on this planet has expired Mr. Hatch!!!