Name the five most important issues facing America today. Possible topics include the war in Iraq, the legality of torture, increasing foreclosure rates, the presidential primaries, faulty health care and an incapable president — just to name a few. There are a lot of imminent problems and serious questions that our government is facing right now. So it is ever-so-puzzling as to why Congress is devoting its time, resources and money to investigating whether some millionaire professional athletes used steroids.
Officially, it is the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that has been investigating steroids in Major League Baseball. This is the most powerful investigative committee in Congress. Typically, they deal with issues of federal programs and policy. Some of the more noteworthy investigations recently undertaken by this committee include those into the defense contractor Backwater USA, into alleged misconduct by President Bill Clinton and his administration, into the defense department over mishandling Hurricane Katrina and into corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Where is it that Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee fit into this list?
Recently, professional athletes such as ex-Yankee Clemens have been brought before Congress to testify about their use of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. It is a shame that Congress feels the need to waste American tax dollars investigating the actions of professional athletes. It was pitiful to watch members of Congress grill Clemens and McNamee about what they did or did not do 10 years ago. It was like watching an episode of “CSI;” sweat dripping down Clemens’ forehead as McNamee was questioned about bloody syringes he apparently used to inject Clemens eight years prior.
It is not only outsiders who are questioning the decisions made by Congress to host such hearings. Rep. Christopher Shays, a Republican from Connecticut said, “Congress has a lot more important things to do than worrying about all aspects of this issue.” The hearings that have taken place focused on the legacies and actions of individual players, and the disputes between them and their trainers. These are not issues of national importance, and Congress should be devoting its time to more important issues — those that are actually affecting the average citizen.
Whether or not Roger Clemens was a cheat may in fact be interesting. However, that does not make it the job of Congress to bear it out. If there are legitimate claims against Clemens and McNamee, and actual evidence to that effect, bring them up on federal charges. Responsibility lies with Major League Baseball to uphold the integrity of the sport. Fans pay them to see a fair game, and they have a responsibility to enforce their own drug policies.
Members of Congress, however, are elected officials and are paid to serve and represent the American people.