WASHINGTON — Baseball officials should be called to a congressional hearing and forced to answer questions about steroid use by players, Rep. Diana DeGette said Thursday.
After the release of former Sen. George Mitchell’s report on steroid use in baseball, DeGette said she planned to call for the hearings next year.
DeGette is vice-chair of the House’s Energy and Commerce Committee, which in 2005 held hearings on steroid use in professional sports. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig testified, along with others.
That same year, another House committee held a hearing where lawmakers questioned players. Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro both denied using steroids while Mark McGwire refused to testify.
Palmeiro later that year tested positive for steroid use.
At any congressional hearing, those called to testify are under oath. Congress also has subpoena powers.
“Baseball officials need to explain to Congress and baseball fans how they plan to use the report to address the ‘serious drug culture within baseball’ and how they are going restore the trust of Americans and children everywhere,” said DeGette, D-Denver.
It wasn’t yet known who would be called to such a hearing, said DeGette spokesman Chris Arend. DeGette would work with Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., to develop a witness list.
Other lawmakers in Colorado’s congressional delegation expressed concern about the report’s findings.
“Baseball is America’s national pastime and this report casts a shadow over the sport,” said Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden.
“The real tragedy is that little leaguers look up to professional baseball players and performance-enhancing drugs use sets a bad example.”
Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, said he was concerned because “professional athletes are often viewed as role models. Young fans are especially influenced by what they see. It is imperative that the utmost in ethical, and legal, standards are enforced in professional sports.”
Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colorado, said there were “preliminary indications that the report provides specific information to support the fact that this epidemic was more widespread than previously thought.
“So many young people look up to professional athletes as role models, and it is disconcerting that a significant number of those athletes would set such a poor example.”
Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan, thanked Mitchell for his work.
“Our children and grandchildren look to the players for inspiration, and it is critical that we make certain the institution of baseball is worthy of their respect,” Musgrave said.
