It May be Time to Drug Test Legislators

State of Iowa Representatives Richard Arnold and Stewart Iverson proudly filed one of the first bills of the 2012 Iowa Legislative Session. They submitted a bill similar to others greeted with great fanfare in states like South Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida, and one in the U.S. House. Like those, their bill, House File 2038, establishes a requirement for random drug testing of any individual receiving unemployment compensation benefits in Iowa.

It is easy to understand why a politician who wants to be seen as strong on law and order would willingly hop on this bill’s bus. As long as he is willing to toss liberty to the curb on the way, that is. The Florida law was thrown out by a Federal Court for just that very reason.

Rep. Arnold said upon filing his bill, “The working man, we`re all subject to drug testing and if they`re gonna take the hard earned person`s money and give it to someone on welfare, I think they ought to be tested the same way.”

Right on, right?

Well, perhaps, until you consider what Mr. Arnold said. I am trying to avoid highlighting the inherent us against them way he argues his case – the “we” who are working men are good and the “they” receiving unemployment benefits may be something less – but it is difficult.

So, I turn to one of Arnold’s colleagues, Representative Tyler Olson, who suggested a way to lessen the division by saying, “If the goal is make sure anyone who gets a public benefit takes a drug test, then we really need to do a lot of work on the bill to expand it to the Governor, to legislators, people that are using public roads and the bill doesn`t say that.”

Maybe Mr. Olson is on to something with his sarcasm. Arnold and Iverson may not have gone far enough. Why limit this to just those receiving unemployment benefits? Perhaps everyone who receives a check from the State of Iowa or takes advantage of its infrastructure in any way should be subject to random tests to ensure no potential beneficiary is breaking any law. If we do this maybe I could get over my silly little suggestion that Arnold is grandstanding on the backs of those who need assistance in terrible times and Iowa can become a leader in making sure all laws are followed.

“Is any portion of your health care paid for through Medicaid? Drug test line forms here.”


“Want to visit a State Park? The line to have your tax records reviewed to make sure you have not broken any tax laws is to the left.”


“Last year’s flooding damaged your farm and you are seeking state assistance? You better have a clean driving record.”


“Before you to vote on that bill, Senator, we need you to fill this little cup.”

It would be silly to require such tests for those who are law-abiding citizens, right? Exactly.

Randomly drug testing those who regularly drive semi trucks is not done to subject a group of people to an indignity because they are lucky to have a job and others have to take drug tests too. Members of that profession are put under this microscope because a person high on dope can do a whole lot of damage with an 80,000-pound vehicle.

Drug testing those receiving unemployment benefits would cost money Iowa does not have with little public benefit to show for the expense and would further empower an already too intrusive government.

Those receiving unemployment benefits are not “them,” Mr. Arnold. Unemployment benefits were established to help those Iowans out-of-work regain their footing. If you feel Iowa’s drug laws need to be strengthened, write a law to do so. If you think too many people are receiving unemployment benefits, do the same. But, please, do not try to wrap yourself in the cloak of law and order by instituting a law that does neither.

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Graham Gillette can be reached at grahamgillette@gmail.com


This entry was first published as a Des Moines Register blog entry.