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Foxx statement on Mitchell Report and Steroids in Baseball hearings

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx released the following statement today on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s hearings on the Mitchell Report and Steroids in Baseball:

“It is clear that much 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 will take their responsibilities in this matter very seriously.

“However, this confidence does not address my underlying question about why these proceedings were even necessary in the first place. It is the duty of criminal investigators and prosecutors to do their job and investigate 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.

“It is questionable that any of this should be taking place in the Committee. Although hearing all of the juicy details may be intriguing, certainly the infinite wisdom of Congress has its limits. My hope would be 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 every day. The committee should be spending its time on oversight and government accountability not on ‘he said, she said’ dispute resolution.”

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