JEFFERSON CITY | A push to drug test recipients of a public aid program has gained momentum in the state Capitol -- but while 114 representatives were voting for the bill on Thursday, two senators filibustered a similar measure.

The House of Representatives passed the bill, which would impose drug testing on state elected officials and some recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

It would apply to those who the Department of Social Services has "reasonable suspicion" to believe are using drugs, and people who test positive could reapply for the program after a year.

Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, has sponsored the measure in the House of Representatives for the past few years. But this year, the proposal has gained more traction in the Senate, which never heard last year's bill. The bill is estimated to cost the state at least $2.6 million.

Brandom said the bill would give "tough love" to addicts.

"I don't think taxpayers feel like it's their job to subsidize people who are abusing drugs," she said.

Opponents said the measure would hurt the children of these drug users.

"It will only drive some of them into foster care," Rep. James Morris said.

Morris, D-St. Louis, also said his constituents had raised concerns that the "reasonable suspicion" standard would lead to racial profiling.

Some of Brandom's colleagues brought up a larger issue: Who should get drug tested? And where should it stop?

As several legislators pointed out, many people in the private sector submit to job-related drug tests. And, Brandom said, taxpayers pay for both those who receive welfare and who earn wages from the state.

Rep. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, sponsored an amendment to include elected officials in those who are tested for drugs. If the House version passes, these officials -- a category that includes legislators -- would be subject to drug tests before taking office and every two years after.

"I think it's ludicrous to say we members are not held to the same standard" as public aid recipients, he said during a debate of the amendment.

The Family Support Division of the Department of Social Services, which administers the program, also oversees Medicaid and food stamps, neither of which involve drug testing.

Another bill in the House, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger, would require drug testing for school district employees. He said he's also working on a bill to drug test higher education employees, and he wouldn't mind seeing all recipients of taxpayer money submit to drug tests.

"It just seems like it would be common sense," said Gatschenberger, R-Lake Saint Louis.

The next step for the issue is to gain Senate approval. The issue was put on hold there Thursday after Sens. Joan Bray, D-University City, and Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, filibustered the version bill sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton.

The House bill is 1377. The Senate bill is 607.