ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico Republican Rep. Steve Pearce wants to make people who collect unemployment benefits take a drug test.
Pearce says he has introduced a bill called the Unemployment Accountability Act in an effort to combat abuse in the federal unemployment compensation program.
Under his bill, all applicants would have to be tested in order to begin receiving benefits. And those already collecting checks would have to be tested within three months. The fee would be reimbursed to those who test negative in their first unemployment benefits check.
Pearce says hard-working middle class Americans are struggling to make ends meet, and should not have to pay the way for those who have drug addictions.
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