Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ)
Drug Testing for Special Government Employees Act
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Drug Testing for Special Government Employees Act," aims to implement drug testing requirements for certain federal workers. Agency heads must require prospective special Government employees to undergo a drug test before their first day of service. Additionally, current special Government employees in sensitive positions must be entered into a random drug testing program within 90 days of the Act's enactment. If a prospective employee tests positive for a controlled substance, they become ineligible for appointment for at least 12 months. Current employees who test positive will be removed from the civil service and face a minimum 12-month ineligibility period.
Yes
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal oversight by mandating drug testing for special government employees.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill promotes integrity and trust in government through mandatory employee oversight.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The mandate for random drug testing may negatively impact the privacy of government employees.
- Scored -3
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill imposes strict terms that could lead to job loss for current employees in sensitive roles.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Ensuring Security and Trust: By requiring drug testing for those in sensitive positions, the bill addresses roles that involve access to classified information or duties that affect safety, security, and National security (Section 2(d)(3)).
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Standardizing Employee Oversight: The bill mandates that drug testing be conducted in accordance with the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Section 2(a) and Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Employment Loss for Current Employees: Any current special Government employee in a sensitive position who tests positive for a controlled substance will be removed from the civil service (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Barriers to Future Employment: Individuals who test positive—whether they are prospective employees or current employees—will be ineligible for appointment as a special Government employee for a period of not less than 12 months (Section 2(c)(1) and Section 2(c)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill imposes strict terms that could lead to job loss for current employees in sensitive roles.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill promotes integrity and trust in government through mandatory employee oversight. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight by mandating drug testing for special government employees. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The mandate for random drug testing may negatively impact the privacy of government employees.
- 4/1/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House