Republicans Keep Pushing New Jim Crow Laws

Struggling families will no longer be allowed to withdraw welfare funds at automated teller machines in liquor stores, casinos or strip clubs if Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives get their way.

The House overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday to push states to ban welfare debit card withdrawals at liquor stores and "naughty" venues, a practice highlighted in a handful of news stories over the past couple of years. The proposal is unlikely to be taken up by the Senate, but it could be folded into a broader legislative package, currently in the works, to reauthorize a payroll tax cut and a federal unemployment insurance measure by the end of the month.

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Indiana GOP back down when Bill Wants To Drug Test Them Too.

A Republican member of the Indiana General Assembly withdrew his bill to create a pilot program for drug testing welfare applicants Friday after one of his Democratic colleagues amended the measure to require drug testing for lawmakers.

"There was an amendment offered today that required drug testing for legislators as well and it passed, which led me to have to then withdraw the bill," said Rep. Jud McMillin (R-Brookville), sponsor of the original welfare drug testing bill.

The Supreme Court ruled drug testing for political candidates unconstitutional in 1997, striking down a Georgia law. McMillin said he withdrew his bill so he could reintroduce it on Monday with a lawmaker drug testing provision that would pass constitutional muster.

Read More http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/welfare-drug-testing-bill_n_1237333.html?ref=mostpopular