Rockefeller and Thune Introduce U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Reauthorization

Press Release

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD) today introduced legislation, the United States Anti-Doping Agency Reauthorization Act, that would recommit America's efforts to keep sports safe and clean by reauthorizing the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to continue its important testing and enforcement efforts against any athletes who seek to use performance-enhancing drugs.

"The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has shown us how important it is to have an independent body dedicated to fighting against performance-enhancing drugs in sports," Rockefeller said. "USADA's proven independence and adherence to its mission have strengthened our national sports organizations and made sure that all athletes are competing on a level playing field. I am confident the agency will continue its focus on keeping sports free of doping, no matter how storied an athlete may be."

"As an avid sports fan I am interested in making sure USADA has the tools necessary to ensure a level playing field exists for our amateur athletes," said Thune. "This reauthorization would also bolster USADA's efforts in working with its counterpart agencies around the world to promote the integrity of our international athletic competitions. I look forward to working with Chairman Rockefeller to advance this important legislation."

The legislation would extend USADA's authorization through fiscal year 2020. USADA's first authorization, in 2006, expired in 2011.

Background:

USADA -- the independent, nongovernmental anti-doping agency for Olympic, Paralympic, and Pan American sports in the United States -- was established in 2000 by the U.S. Olympic Committee to fight doping in the nearly 50 national sports organizations that are under its jurisdiction. In addition to testing and educating U.S. Olympic, Paralympic, and Pan American athletes, USADA has the authority to adjudicate appeals and conduct research in support of anti-doping efforts.

Within just a few years of being established, the USADA has already been leading numerous high-profile doping cases. USADA's most notable investigative accomplishment to-date has been the January 2013 admission of former seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong to using performance-enhancing drugs. Ultimately, USADA banned Armstrong from competitive cycling for life and disqualified all of his cycling titles dating back to 1998.

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