Drug test for jobless not needed

If you're out of work, some Republicans in the House of Representatives think there's a good chance you're a drug-abusing wastrel.

That's a mean-spirited view of the 13.3 million American men and women who are jobless in what has been the worst national economy since the Great Depression. But how else to explain a bill from House Republicans that would grudgingly continue extended federal unemployment compensation, but also authorize states to require drug tests for those collecting the average benefit of $296 a week?

And adding injury to that cold insult, the House would authorize providing benefits for a maximum of 59 weeks rather than the current 99 weeks. Senators negotiating with the House for an extension of jobless benefits through 2012 should reject these churlish conditions. The nation added 200,000 new jobs last month as unemployment ticked down to 8.5 percent. But times are still tough, with four people looking for work for every job available.

The jobless benefits are part of legislation to extend the existing 2 percent payroll tax cut through 2012 and head off ruinous cuts in Medicare payments to doctors. Congress approved a two-month extension in December after the House and Senate failed to agree on a year long one.

Some unemployed people may use drugs. But most of the 13.3 million are out of work through no fault of their own. We shouldn't treat those facing hard times like goldbricking druggies by demanding they pee in a cup.