Robert E. Gladd,
Thesis work-in-progress internet edition:
UNLV
Institute for Ethics & Policy Studies
The case against indiscriminate
drug testing:
Gerald Solomon Watch, 1997 / 105th Congressional Update
Conservative New York Republican Representative
Gerald B.H. Solomon, renewing his 104th Congress drug war agenda, has re-introduced
a spate of random drug testing and related drug war legislative proposals
in the first session of the 105th Congress:
- House of Representatives 88, denial of federal education benefits
for those convicted of drug offenses.
- House of Representatives 89, pre-employment drug testing of
all federal job applicants.
- House of Representatives 90, random testing of Executive Branch
personnel.
- House of Representatives 92, random testing of Judicial Branch
personnel.
- House of Representatives 309, to prohibit the use of any federal
funds for research into drug legalization issues.
- House of Representatives 310, random testing of Legislative
Branch personnel.
- House of Representatives 313, to eliminate court discretion
in connection with denial of various federal benefits for those convicted
of drug offenses.
- House of Representatives 314, the “Drug Kingpin Death Penalty
Enhancement Act.”
- House of Representatives 333, to require that courts notify
employers of employee drug offense convictions.
Mr. Solomon is also against gun control, for legislation outlawing
the pandemic of flag-burning, against
use of the internet to disseminate drug legalization information, and
for denying tax-exempt status to non-profit organizations “favoring
drug legalization” (and retroactively taxing those who have contributed
to such organizations).
On October 7, 1994, however, Mr. Solomon
stated the following during the course of remarks concerning house debate
over “Unfunded Mandates” legislation: “Today is the beginning of the
second Reagan Revolution that will shrink the size and power of the federal
government. No longer will there be an arrogant attitude around here that
says Big Brother federal government knows best.” (see Congressional
Record, 10-7-94)
Interesting. For more background information
on Mr. Solomon, click here.
May 1997 Update: In the wake of the 8-1 Supreme Court Chandler
et al v. Miller, Governor of Georgia et al decision which invalidates
laws aimed at drug testing of political candidates, it would appear that
Mr. Solomon has hit a big bump in his road to bioassay McCarthyism. The
Court has ruled that government-initiated suspicionless drug testing for
symbolic purposes, however well-intended, violates the Constitution. The
Solomon and Molinari drug testing legislative proposals should fade into
the legal oblivion they deserve.