'Hypocrisy': Matt Gaetz slammed for pushing drug testing of welfare recipients amid allegation he took ecstasy

'Hypocrisy': Matt Gaetz slammed for pushing drug testing of welfare recipients amid allegation he took ecstasy
www.alternet.org
Bombshell: Matt Gaetz paid prostitutes using Cash App and Apple ...
David Badash
and
The New Civil Rights Movement
April 03, 2021Frontpage news and politics

One of the many stunning accusations news reports are revealing is that U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) not only paid women for sex, but according to The New York Times, allegedly used the illegal hallucinogenic drug ecstasy to fuel those encounters. On social media some are criticizing and mocking the Florida Republican for massive hypocrisy, given that a decade ago he was strongly promoting legislation to drug test welfare recipients.

In 2011 Gaetz was a Florida state representative making a name for himself – which was not too hard to do given his father was a Florida state senator from 2006-2016. Gaetz was pushing for people who use welfare to be tested for illegal drug use, which Business Insider is also reporting today, despite studies proving those who use welfare are statistically less-likely to use drugs.

For example, in 2014 Tennessee enacted a drug testing law for welfare recipients. In its first month it tested 808 people. One tested positive for drug use.

Gaetz insisted that applying for welfare is voluntary, so it's only fair he implied, that applicants should be tested for the presence of illegal drugs.

He even said he was "Proud to be a co-sponsor!" of the legislation, which then-Governor Rick Scott, a Republican who is now a U.S. Senator, signed into law.

On social media people are angry and outraged at what they see as hypocrisy:

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Report typos and corrections to: feedback@alternet.org.

Should Trump be allowed to hold office again?

Understand the importance of honest news ?

So do we.

The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.

We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference in allowing our newsroom to bring you the stories that matter, at a time when being informed is more important than ever. Invest with us.

Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access , or click here to become a subscriber . Thank you.

Click to donate by check .

DonateDonate by credit card
Donate by Paypal
{{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}
@2024 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. - "Poynter" fonts provided by fontsempire.com.