U.S. Appeals Drug Ruling

THE DAILY FED

U.S. Appeals Drug Ruling

As reported by the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Richey ruled on July 24th that drug testing of employees who work in the Old Executive Office Building, next to the White House, violated the employees' Constitutional rights. Richey said that no security or safety concerns warranted any drug testing there. The ruling only prohibits drug tests for the two plaintiffs in the case, two economists in the Office of Management and Budget. A White House spokeswoman said drug testing would continue for all other employees.

Judge Richey disagreed with government arguments that Old Executive Office Building employees are close enough to the White House to get confidential information regarding the White House and the president. He said that interns, reporters, and photographers with similar access are not required to take drug tests.

The Justice Department will file a brief next week requesting an expedited review of the case, a spokesman said.