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The lawsuit asks
a judge to clarify whether federal law allows Wisconsin to drug
test food stamp recipients who participate in the state's
Foodshare employment program, which is required for able-bodied
adults without dependents.
The policy was included in the state budget and went into effect
on Tuesday. Walker signed the two-year, $73 billion budget on
Sunday, a day before he declared his candidacy for the
Republican nomination for president.
"Our reforms offer a hand up to those who need it, so they can
get back on their feet through drug treatment and access to
employment training," Walker said in a statement.
Attorney General Brad Schimel, who filed the lawsuit in U.S.
District Court in Milwaukee, said state officials had been
advised by the U.S. Agriculture Department that drug testing of
state Foodshare program recipients was not allowed.
Schimel said in a statement the Agriculture Department stance is
contrary to federal law that allows states to drug test food
stamp recipients.
An Agriculture Department representative could not immediately
be reached for comment. No lawyers were listed for the
department in online court records.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides
nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families and
is administered by both the USDA and state agencies.
Wisconsin joined 13 other states that have enacted laws that
allow public assistance recipients to be screened or drug
tested, according to the National Conference of State
Legislatures.
(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien; Editing by Eric Beech)
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