On January 30, 2011, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill and sent it to the Senate that would require drug testing for those who receive state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. . Funding for food stamps, Medicare, and public housing would not be affected by this bill (Keller – House). According to Columbia Tribune reporter Rudi Keller, the bill is very similar to the law in Arizona, the only other state to test welfare recipients. Missouri and Arizona would use a questionnaire and interview that would determine which candidates to test. The two states are also similar in case numbers, with 45,017 people receiving assistance in Arizona and 42,885 in Missouri. The state would not be obligated to provide treatment to those who fail. In addition, children would be protected since the money would be given to them by a third party in the event that their head of household tests positive (Keller-Arizona). According to the Columbia Tribune, TANF is a five-year maximum support benefit for people trying to find a job or learn job skills. The maximum TANF payment is $292 per month, with the head of household share being $58 (Keller-House). The issue of drug testing among welfare recipients dates back to 1996, when the Welfare Reform Act allowed, but did not require, states to impose mandatory drug testing as a prerequisite to obtaining state social assistance (Drug Testing). In Missouri, there are people who support drug testing and others who oppose it. A Fox News article discusses the fan's point of view. People want to make it clear that “you don’t get something for nothing”. Plus jobs require drug testing so why should benefits be the same...... middle of paper ......ibune - Columbia, Missouri. January 26, 2011. The web. February 8, 2011. Keller, Rudi. "House Passes Drug Tests for Welfare Recipients." The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri. January 31, 2011. The web. February 8, 2011. "States Consider Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News - FOXNews.com." FoxNews.com - Latest News | Latest news | Current news. March 26, 2009. The web. February 8, 2011. Waters, Henry J. “Demagogues on Parade – Commentary.” The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri. January 29, 2011. The web. February 8. 2011. .