A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Major League Baseball clubs and their players should take immediate action to adopt a drug-testing policy that effectively deters Major League Baseball players from using anabolic steroids and any other performance-enhancing substances that create a competitive advantage for, and pose a serious health risk to, such players and the children and teenagers who emulate them.

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 335 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 335

Expressing the sense of the Senate that Major League Baseball clubs and
their players should take immediate action to adopt a drug-testing
policy that effectively deters Major League Baseball players from using
anabolic steroids and any other performance-enhancing substances that
create a competitive advantage for, and pose a serious health risk to,
such players and the children and teenagers who emulate them.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 8, 2004

Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Biden, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Breaux, Mr.
Allen, and Mr. Dorgan) submitted the following resolution; which was
considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate that Major League Baseball clubs and
their players should take immediate action to adopt a drug-testing
policy that effectively deters Major League Baseball players from using
anabolic steroids and any other performance-enhancing substances that
create a competitive advantage for, and pose a serious health risk to,
such players and the children and teenagers who emulate them.

Whereas the sport of baseball is widely considered America's
pastime and an institution inextricably interwoven into the
fabric of our culture;
Whereas anabolic steroids are substances that are chemically and
pharmacologically related to testosterone and promote
muscle growth;
Whereas anabolic steroids are Schedule III controlled substances
under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et
seq.);
Whereas certain products are sold legally in the United States that
promote muscle growth in a manner similar to anabolic
steroids;
Whereas medical experts warn that the health consequences
associated with the human use of anabolic steroids or other
similar performance-enhancing substances can be dire;
Whereas medical experts warn that anabolic steroids and other
similar performance-enhancing substances can have
particularly serious adverse health effects on children and
teenagers;
Whereas these adverse health effects include stunted growth,
scarring acne, hair loss, dramatic mood swings, hormonal
imbalances, liver and kidney damage, a higher risk of heart
disease and stroke later in life, as well as an increased
propensity to demonstrate aggressive behavior, commit
suicide, and commit crimes;
Whereas the dangerous and anti-competitive effects of anabolic
steroids when used by Major League Baseball players were
acknowledged but not adequately addressed by the 30 Major
League Baseball clubs and the Major League Baseball Players
Association in their September 30, 2002, Collective
Bargaining Agreement;
Whereas the September 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement does not
allow for the imposition of a suspension or fine for a
first-time violation of the League steroids policy;
Whereas the September 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement does not
allow Major League Baseball players to be subjected to more
than one unannounced drug test per season;
Whereas the September 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement does not
prohibit the use of certain performance-enhancing
substances that, although legal, promote muscle growth and
pose a serious health risk to users;
Whereas notwithstanding the 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement,
the prevalence of the use by Major League Baseball players
of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing
substances that promote muscle growth and pose a serious
health risk, at the very least, appears to be significant;
and
Whereas the use of anabolic steroids and other performance-
enhancing substances that promote muscle growth and pose a
serious health risk to children and teenagers continues to
rise: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) the use of performance-enhancing substances such as
anabolic steroids poses a health risk, especially to children
and teenagers;
(2) the use of athletic performance-enhancing substances
such as anabolic steroids to gain a competitive advantage is
tantamount to cheating;
(3) there is sufficient evidence that children and
teenagers tend to emulate professional athletes;
(4) the effectiveness of the 2002 Collective Bargaining
Agreement to deter Major League Baseball players from using
performance-enhancing substances such as anabolic steroids has
been called into question;
(5) Major League Baseball and its players should exercise
their collective bargaining authority to negotiate and adopt a
more stringent drug-testing policy that is sufficient to
effectively deter Major League Baseball players from using
anabolic steroids or other similar performance-enhancing
substances to gain a competitive advantage; and
(6) taking such a step would help--
(A) to preserve the integrity of the game of
professional baseball;
(B) to protect the health of Major League Baseball
players; and
(C) to discourage the use of performance-enhancing
substances such as anabolic steroids by children and
teenagers who seek to emulate professional athletes.
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