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SHOULD NEEDY FAMILIES BE REQUIRED TO TAKE DRUG TESTS TO RECEIVE AID?

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced a bill that would amend the Social Security Act to require States to implement a drug testing program for applicants for and recipients of assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. If an applicant fails a drug test, or was convicted of a drug related crime they can be denied aid. Also, states would be allowed to require random or set time drug tests. A person can be permanently denied aid if they fail three drug tests or receive three drug related convictions.
Read the details of the bill -The Drug Free Families Act of 2008
Tell Congress and the President if you support or oppose this bill or what you would do differently.

ACTION POLL: Pick the view that comes closest to your own. The choice of Congress is to vote this bill up or down or amend it. So if you support the idea but want to see it changed, pick the support option. If you think we should do something else, pick the oppose option. Be sure to personalize your response to make it more influential.

Yes, Support Drug Tests to Receive Federal Assistance
No, Oppose Drug Tests to Receive Federal Assistance

Should the Veteran's Administration Allow Voter Registration Drives in VA Hospitals and Facilities?

According to an opinion editorial in the New York Times by Susan Bysiewicz, the Secretary of State for Connecticut, the Department of Veterans Affairs, "led by James B. Peake issued a directive that bans nonpartisan voter registration drives at federally financed nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and shelters for homeless veterans." The agency thinks those drives are disruptive, a claim that Bysiewicz refutes. Read the article and decide for yourself (you can read the article in one of the links below as well) and then write to the President, Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to tell them what you think.

ACTION POLL:
Allow Voter Registration Drives in VA Facilities
Oppose Voter Registration Drives in VA Facilities

What Should Congress Members Do On Their Summer Vacation?

Congress is in Recess in August. What do you think they should do while on break. Tell your Members of Congress what you have on their Summer "To Do List".

Check out our Letters to Leaders section to contact your officials and see what other citizens are saying

Soapbox Alerts - Put Your Cause Online

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Soapbox Commentary

Our Soapbox Commentary feature allows you to share your thoughts about officials and candidates with other Congress.org users. Thousands of politically-interested people visit Congress.org every day. Posting your own Soapbox Commentary gives exposure to your opinions about officials and candidates.

You can create your own Soapbox Commentary by visiting an official's bio page and clicking on the link that says "Post your Soapbox Commentary now."

Congress.org Veepstakes

We at Congress.org would like to know who YOU want your Presidential candidate to choose as a running mate. Do you want someone new and young as Vice President? Older and more experienced? From a particular part of the country? Tell us about your dream ticket by clicking here.

Do you feel strongly about your VP nominee? Post a Soapbox about it!

Letters FROM Leaders

Congress.org enables elected officials to hear from you. Now we’d like to know what you are hearing from them!

We would like you to forward us responses that you get after you have sent a message to your elected officials. Have they addressed your concerns? Was the response a form letter, or was it customized to the content of your message? How satisfied were you with the response?

If your elected officials have sent you a response that you would like to share, please email it to: lettersfromleaders@capitoladvantage.com.