Legality stalls house's own drug testing policy

SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON Five months after the House agreed to begin drug testing
lawmakers and their staffs, no testing has been done and new legislation
may be needed to get it under way.

Drug testing was approved by the House in January as part of a package
of administrative reforms backed by the GOP. But it has been stalled by
questions about its legality and the opposition of many Democrats and
some conservative Republicans.

Supporters say drug testing would subject House members and staff to the
same workplace rules faced by many Americans in the private sector, while
symbolically participating in the fight against drugs.

Nearly 400,000 federal employees who handle sensitive documents or work
in public safety related jobs are already subject to random drugs
tests.

The Senate has not voted on whether to impose drug tests on its members
or staff.