GOP PROPOSES HOUSE DRUG TESTING

WASHINGTON--Republicans want all House members and their staffs subject to
random drug testing. The House's top Democratic believes the plan
unnecessary.

Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., announced the proposal Thursday at a House
subcommittee hearing where the Clinton administration's drug policy
coordinator faced another day of sharp questioning from Republicans.

The proposed rules change must go before the full House for a vote. It
would tighten up the chamber's as-yet-unused current drug-testing policy,
which specifies testing only with agreement of both Democratic and
Republican leaders. GOP congressional aides said Democratic leader Richard
Gephardt never has consented. An aide to Gephardt said the Missouri
Democrat believes the rule is unnecessary.

"Every office is free to test their own staff," Gephardt spokesman Erik
Smith said. "We don't need any sweeping mandates placed on the House of
Representatives."

Rep. Gerald Solomon, R-N.Y., and Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, are formulating
the proposed plan, which would require that a quarter of members and staff
be tested for illegal drug use four to six times per year.

"We want to raise the level of awareness in the hearts and minds of the
American people," said Hastert, chairman of House Speaker Newt Gingrich's
week-old Task Force for a Drug-Free America.

Search the archives of the Los Angeles Times for similar stories. You will
not be charged to look for stories, only to retrieve one.

Copyright Los Angeles Times