WASHINGTON – The Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Reps. Darrell E. Issa and Elijah E. Cummings, issued a joint statement in response to the Major League Baseball’s decision to implement in-season testing for human growth hormone (HGH) in its players.

“We are pleased that Major League Baseball and their players have reached an agreement to implement in-season testing for human growth hormone. On its face, this agreement sends a strong message to young people everywhere that performance enhancing drugs are dangerous and unacceptable in any sport. The beginning of more robust testing in Major League Baseball will be another step toward dismissing baseless arguments others have used to stop or delay testing.

“Other professional sports leagues, including the National Football League, must also implement their own robust testing regimes.  Major League Baseball’s announcement increases the pressure on the NFL and its players to deliver on pledges to conduct HGH testing made in their collective bargaining agreement that was signed two years ago.”

The Oversight Committee held a hearing on HGH testing in the NFL last month. Click here to read the August 7, 2012, letter from the Oversight Committee to the NFL commissioner requesting a status update on HGH testing.

On January 3, 2013, Reps. Issa and Cummings invited the Major League Baseball to brief the Oversight Committee on the effectiveness of its HGH testing regime.