Bill Lee: “First, let me thank Congressman Davis for yielding and for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable…”

“First, let me thank Congressman Davis for yielding and for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable everywhere. I rise in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 42, which is really another baseless attack on the poor, on low-income individuals, and on the unemployed. Drug testing unemployed individuals is downright wrong. Let me be clear. This resolution is another way for Republicans to stop workers from claiming their right to unemployment benefits. It also is a scare tactic that flies in the face of facts. First, there is no evidence that people who receive public assistance use drugs any more frequently than those in the general population. Unemployment compensation, mind you, is not public assistance. By unnecessarily drug testing jobless workers, we are throwing them out in the cold when they are simply trying to get back on their feet. Mr. Speaker, workers receive unemployment benefits because they worked hard, they played by the rules, and they were laid off through no fault of their own. More importantly, working people have earned their right to apply for these benefits. They pay into the program. Their constitutional rights should not be violated. I also know that people want to work. People don't want to be on unemployment insurance. They want to provide for themselves and their families.…”