Westerman: Drug Testing Unemployment Recipients Ensures Citizens “Abide by Our Laws”

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) issued the following statement Wednesday (February 15) upon passage of H.J. Res. 42, disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants:

"I believe in times of struggle, we should give a hand up not a handout," Westerman said. "A drug test is a simple measure to ensure that those seeking assistance are abiding by our laws and not seeking to abuse a system meant to provide temporary help. Passage of today's resolution allows states to continue what is standard in many job sites across this country and stops a federal overreach by the Labor Department."