Oklahoma May Drug Test Would-Be Politicians

Oklahoma Republicans want welfare recipients to pass a drug test before receiving public assistance—and the state's politicians may be subjected to the same requirement before seeking office. Democratic legislators, irked by the original Republican-sponsored welfare drug test bill, added an amendment that would require would-be politicians to also submit to drug testing, and the bill passed the state House 82-6 yesterday. It's headed to the state Senate, Reuters reports.

If it passes, anyone running for local or state public office will be required to certify they passed a drug test within 15 days of filing candidacy paperwork. The bill's sponsor attempted to get the amendment eliminated, but that motion was defeated. Quite a few other states are considering similar welfare drug tests. (Read more drug test stories.)