REPUBLICANS QUASH DRUG TESTING FOR HOUSE MEMBERS

Republican leaders have apparently quashed, at least for now, a plan by two
GOP lawmakers to require drug testing of House members and their staffs.

"We have a few well-placed people who don't want this," Rep. Joe Barton of
Texas said Wednesday.

Barton, co-sponsor of the proposal with Rep.Gerald Solomon of New York, said
the chairman of the House Republican Conference, Rep.John Boehner of Ohio,
is refusing to allow the drug plan to be brought up for discussion.

Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas told reporters earlier there isn't time
in the House schedule to take up the matter before the August recess, which
begins Friday.

Checked-by: "Rolf Ernst"