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Welfare Drug Testing Bill Fails By One Vote In Virginia Senate

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Legislation that would have required welfare recipients to undergo drug screenings failed by one vote in the Virginia Senate, according to the Associated Press.)

All 20 Democrats voted against the measure in the evenly divided Senate.  The only Republican who did not vote was Sen. Harry Blevins (R-Virginia Beach). If he would have cast his ballot, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, also a Republican, could have made the tie-breaking vote as he did last year with similar legislation.

The bill would have required an initial drug screening of welfare applicants, followed by testing if officials suspected illegal drug use. Anyone testing positive could lose benefits for a year.

Supporters said the bill would ensure taxpayer money isn't supporting drug use, while  opponents said it's unfair to single out poor people. 

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