The proposal was brought forward by Republican senator Grace Hatch of Utah, who was quoted in an article on CBS News with the statement.

Hatchâ proposal includes a provision for enrollment in a state or federal drug treatment program for those who test positive for drug use. There was reportedly no clear statement as to whether a positive test may lead to jail time. Yet another proposal was made towards implementing drug testing for those who are receiving welfare, a topic that has been a subject of debate in the other states where it has also been proposed. According to the senator, such a program will lead to savings and reduction of deficit as benefits are withheld from those.

This amendment is a way to help people get off of drugs to become productive and healthy members of society, while ensuring that valuable taxpayer dollars arenâ t wasted.â Advocates of the idea of drug testing recipients of federal assistance point out concern over whether the aid is being used by beneficiaries to finance their drug habits.

â Too many Americans are locked into a life of a dangerous dependency not only on drugs, but the federal assistance that serves to enable their addiction.