{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hjres42-115/featured_disapproving-the-rule-submitted-by-the-department-of-labor-relating-to-drug-testing-of-unemployment-compensatio-1487093797.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hjres42-115/featured_large_disapproving-the-rule-submitted-by-the-department-of-labor-relating-to-drug-testing-of-unemployment-compensatio-1487093797.jpg","shareable":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/bills/hjres42-115.png"},"introduced_on":"2017-01-30","title_override":"Do States Need More Freedom to Drug Test Welfare Recipients As They See Fit?","summary_override":"

This resolution would overturn a Dept. of Labor regulation that allowed states to drug test recipients of unemployment insurance only if they were fired for using a controlled substance or if the only suitable employment available to them requires drug screening. Under the regulation, states could deny unemployment benefits in the event that a person fails their drug test. The rule was initially proposed by the Obama administration in 2012, and took effect September 30, 2016.

Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress is able to overturn regulations finalized within the last 60 legislative days with simple majority votes on a joint resolution of disapproval in both chambers and the president’s signature. CRA resolutions also prevent the federal agency that created the regulation from issuing a similar rule without being directed to do so by Congress.

","official_title":"Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants.","short_title":null,"popular_title":null,"short_summary":"This joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Department of Labor on August 1, 2016, relating to establishing, for state unemployment compensation program purposes, occupations that regularly conduct drug testing.","summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.","impact":"People receiving unemployment insurance; states; and the Dept. of Labor.","argument_for":"The Obama administration’s rule is too narrowly tailored, and effectively prohibits states from drug testing the majority of people on unemployment insurance. 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And now with more states legalizing marijuana, you might block unemployment benefits for people who are just using the wrong drug, instead of the 'right' ones like alcohol. ","show_argument_for":false,"show_argument_against":true,"upvote_count":0,"upvotes_for_count":null,"upvotes_against_count":0,"has_upvoted":false,"endorsement_count":0,"links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/positions/36aafabb-01ca-49e9-bd70-ae3b285e4140"},"body":"This seems like a waste of tax payer money. And now with more states legalizing marijuana, you might block unemployment benefits for people who are just using the wrong drug, instead of the 'right' ones like alcohol. ","stance":"nay","created_at":"2017-02-14T05:21:57.667Z","shareable_image_url":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/positions/36aafabb-01ca-49e9-bd70-ae3b285e4140.png","note_color":null,"note_text":null,"bill_id":"hjres42-115","user_id":"omEDpAYZ","endorser_ids":[]}}

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Stephanie

Do States Need More Freedom to Drug Test Welfare Recipients As They See Fit?