Posted on 06/20/2013 3:49:19 AM PDT by markomalley
The House voted Wednesday voted to give states the power to perform drug tests on people who apply for food stamps under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The proposal was written as an amendment to North Carolina GOP Rep. Richard Hudson’s farm bill. Hudson commented:
If adopted, this amendment would join a list of good-government reforms contained in the farm bill to save taxpayer money and ensure integrity and accountability within our nutrition system. From preventing lottery winners from receiving food stamps, to closing loopholes and preventing illegal immigrants from receiving benefits, I commend the chairman and ranking member on the work done to reform the food stamps program in the farm bill.
Democrats asserted that the drug testing amendment was proposed by the GOP because the GOP is implying that people applying for food stamps use drugs. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) claimed that studies have shown SNAP recipients are not using drugs more than the general populace, that the proposal was unconstitutional, and that the proposal would humiliate SNAP users. She said, "It costs a lot of public money just to humiliate people. It'll cost $75 for one of these drug tests, and for what purpose? Just to criminalize and humiliate poor people."
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
As we read this, the ACLU, the NAACP, ACORN, CAIR, LA RAZA, et al are preparing a joint lawsuit.
As much as I approve of the measure, isn’t this a matter for the states to decide?
And this bill authorizes states to do so, it doesn't mandate it.
By any reasonable reading of the Constitution the states already have the power to do so, but yes, this should clear an obstacle or two.
By any reasonable reading of the Constitution , the federal government has no authority to be in this at all (at least I've never seen "food stamps" listed in Article 1 Section 8, but, hey, I'm not an expert).
Be very interesting to watch this in the progressive controlled senate.
“As much as I approve of the measure, isn’t this a matter for the states to decide?”
It is in this case, based on the wording. But it shouldn’t be - if taxpayers in Texas are paying for Food Stamps in California, then it is a federal issue and the feds should have every right to demand testing.
In other words, if a state doesn’t want to test their recipients, fine - but don’t expect federal money - pay for your program yourself.
How about proof of eligibility?? Should only be for those truly in need.
As well as for only those WHO ARE TRULY CITIZENS!!!
This isn’t about caring if food stamp recipients use drugs, this is about someone getting a big fat contract to make people pee. Just like in Florida.
And they will find out it costs more to operate than it saves in kicking people off of assistance.
This is where one can shake the hypocrites out of the “smaller, less intrusive government” tree. Instead of voting to reduce or eliminate funding for a program government has no business being in in the first place, they steal more money from the taxpayers for piss tests.
Willing to bet the tests will be given by people that are on EBT themselves who will turn a blind eye. If not there will be a huge market for drug-free pee in a test tube
Those who mooch off the government (ie. fellow citizens) for a living have given up on personal pride and long past humiliation.
> Democrats asserted that the drug testing amendment was proposed by the GOP because the GOP is implying that people applying for food stamps use drugs.
No implying necessary. Go down to your local Walmart and sit for a few hours and watch for those white cards to come out and draw your own conclusions. I don’t know if any statistics have been gathered but I’m willing to bet Democrat population as a whole use drugs far more on average than GOP members.
A+
We have all the laws needed for a self-sufficient and sovereign nation
In a world, not so long ago, it USED to be shameful to be on food stamps.
Now it is a matter of “pride” (eyeroll).
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