Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act
This is a concurrent resolution, titled the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act, introduced in the 119th Congress. It would require Members of both the House and the Senate to participate in a random drug-testing program aimed at detecting illegal use of controlled substances. The program would test each Member once per term, and any confirmed positive results would be reported to the Member and to the appropriate ethics committees for review (House Ethics for House Members; Senate Select Committee on Ethics for Senators). The resolution also provides for public disclosure of the identity of Members who refuse to participate and requires Members to reimburse the costs of their tests. It establishes regulatory authority for House and Senate committees to implement the program and defines key terms such as “confirmed positive result,” “random drug test,” and “controlled substance.” As a concurrent resolution, it expresses a legislative stance and would require action by both chambers to take effect; it does not by itself enact law.
Key Points
- 1Random drug testing requirement: Each Member of the House and Senate must participate in a random drug test once per term.
- 2Handling of positive results: A confirmed positive test must be shared with the Member and with the appropriate ethics committee for review (House Ethics for House Members; Senate Select Committee on Ethics for Senators).
- 3Public disclosure and consequences for non-participation: The ethics committees would publicly disclose the identity of Members who refuse to participate and take appropriate actions.
- 4Cost bearing: Members must reimburse the cost of their own random drug test.
- 5Definitions and process: The bill defines a “confirmed positive result” (initial positive, second test with a different method, and certification by a medical review officer) and clarifies that only illegal controlled substances are tested, excluding legal medications and OTC drugs; it also defines “random drug test” as periodic, with no advance notice and no individualized suspicion.