Sensenbrenner Statement on Major League Baseball's New Anti-Drug Agreement

 

To: National Desk

Contact: Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn, 202-225-2492, both of the Committee on the Judiciary,

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.) issued the following statement on today's announcement of an anti-drug agreement in Major League Baseball:

"I am initially pleased and encouraged by what I have seen and heard thus far about this agreement, but will reserve final judgement until I have had an opportunity to fully review the details. I think all of us involved in this issue in Congress hope Major League Baseball and other professional sports leagues will take strong steps to combat the use of performance enhancing drugs so congressional action is not necessary. However, if the leagues don't act, Congress is prepared to.

"As the lead sponsor of bipartisan anti-steroid legislation, I understand the dire public health and safety risk posed by the use of performance enhancing substances. Our young people must receive a clear message from professional athletes, parents, coaches, teachers, and political and community leaders that the use of performance enhancing drugs is both wrong and dangerous."