[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 37 (Thursday, March 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 TO PREVENT THE 
PAYMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION TO INDIVIDUALS DISCHARGED FOR DRUG 
                             OR ALCOHOL USE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2013

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I introduced today legislation that would 
prevent the payment of unemployment compensation to individuals fired 
for drug or alcohol use. Under current federal law, employees who are 
terminated by their employer for ``misconduct'' cannot collect 
unemployment compensation. However, since federal law does not clearly 
define misconduct, each state must develop its own definition. 
Consequently, more than one-third of states do not currently have a 
provision to prevent these individuals from receiving benefits, which 
are funded using scarce taxpayer dollars. These differing standards 
allow for lax treatment of these individuals when they apply for 
unemployment insurance benefits.
  We must take steps to ensure that a fair and equitable standard is in 
place for unemployment insurance eligibility. This commonsense 
legislation would strengthen the unemployment compensation system; 
ensuring benefits go to those who have lost their job for reasons 
outside their control. Under this legislation, individuals fired for 
drug or alcohol use in connection with work would also be required to 
secure new employment and meet state criteria before becoming eligible 
for unemployment compensation again. However, it would not require the 
recipient to undergo drug testing to receive unemployment compensation 
benefits.
  At a time when state and federal resources are strained, rewarding 
individuals who willfully violate the law and workplace policies is 
fiscally irresponsible and unfair to law-abiding citizens.
  In short, this legislation would create a fair and equitable 
standard, which not only protects the taxpayer, but also ensures 
displaced employees who do follow the law and workplace policies can 
continue to receive this assistance. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to move this legislation through Congress.

                          ____________________