Congress Should Stick to Debating Policy, Not Baseball (Rep. Virginia Foxx)
February 13th, 2008
It is clear that there is a lot that hinges on the outcome of the various
criminal and civil proceedings taking place regarding this issue of steroids in
baseball. Both Mr. Clemens and Mr. McNamee’s testimonies will be subject to
intense scrutiny. Not only does the reputation of one of baseball’s best
pitchers lie in the balance, but how baseball looks to the future will be shaped
by these outcomes. I trust that Senator Mitchell and Commissioner Selig take
their responsibilities in this matter very seriously.
However, this confidence does not address my underlying question about why these
proceedings are even necessary in the first place. As they should be, criminal
investigators and prosecutors are doing their jobs investigating how the law
might have been broken. The truth will undoubtedly be hashed and rehashed in
civil proceedings and it is clearly in the best interests of Major League
Baseball to lead the way towards eliminating illegal drug use from within its
ranks. Naturally, the press will be there reporting to the American people every
step of the way. All of this should be taking place. But what does any of that
have to do with this Committee? Although hearing all of the juicy details may be
intriguing, certainly the infinite wisdom of Congress has its limits. I suggest
that we stick to debating policy and reforming government.
Congress should not be conducting a dog and pony show simply for the benefit of
a national TV audience when we could be investigating the billions of dollars
that the federal government wastes. The committee should be spending its time on
oversight and government accountability not on ‘he said, she said’ dispute
resolution.