Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 1208 - Railroad Alcohol and Drug Testing

(House)
(Luken (D) Ohio and 2 others)

The Administration opposes enactment of H.R. 1208, and the Secretary of Transportation would recommend that the President veto the bill unless it is amended to:

• permit the Department of Transportation to proceed with implementation of its regulations regarding railroad alcohol and drug use (the result of over 6 years of rulemaking and litigation), rather than requiring the Department to promulgate new rules which would be subject to further litigation;
• delete the guarantee of reinstatement after treatment to employees who violate alcohol and drug use prohibitions; and
• eliminate the requirement that violators complete 40 hours of community service, which is inadequate as a deterrent and also inappropriate for a civil regulatory program.