Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has been trying for some time now to find a way to drug test those who need government assistance to afford food.
He signed a measure two years ago that would institute tests for the states food stamp program and a number of other programs that serve the poor. But states dont have the authority to make such changes to the program, leading Walker to sue the federal government to allow him to move forward.
He seemed to gain new optimism, however, about his chances of success after Donald Trump was elected president. In December, he sent a public appeal to Trump asking him to act quickly and give his state the necessary authority. We want your help as soon as possible, he wrote in a letter. We
are optimistic your administration will give states like Wisconsin the flexibility to provide the accountability the taxpayers demand.
But this week, an Obama administration official made it clear that even if Trump were to support Walkers request, he cant do it on his own. Drug testing food stamp recipients violates current law, Kevin Concannon, undersecretary at the federal Food and Nutrition Service within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in an interview with Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, and it would require Congressional action to change that fact.
The law clearly does not allow it, he said.
After Scott Walkers office sent a request to the USDA to implement the policy, Concannon said, We consulted the legal counsels here and the law absolutely does not allow it.