Democrats seek hearing on HGH tests

WASHINGTON -- Three Democratic congressmen are urging the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the impasse between the NFL and its players union on testing for human growth hormone.

California Rep. Henry Waxman, the top Democrat on the committee, and two others made the request in a letter yesterday to chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.).

The NFL and the players agreed to begin blood testing for HGH as part of their new collective-bargaining agreement -- but only if the union agreed to the methods. The union has delayed implementing the test, asking for more scientific data to prove it is reliable.

"This delay is a cause for concern," wrote Waxman, along with G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina and Bobby Rush of Illinois, both of whom chair subcommittees on the panel.

The lawmakers cited a recent letter to the union and NFL from nearly two dozen scientists and lab directors from around the world stating the current test is scientifically reliable; and noted that the test has been used in the Olympics.

They also noted that CBS football analyst Boomer Esiason said the union is "backing off because they have players guilty of using this substance." Esiason said many believe that at least 20 percent of players are using it.

"We hope that this is not the case," the congressmen wrote. "Committee hearings will allow us to learn about these issues, hearing from top scientists about the validity of HGH testing and from the NFL and NFLPA about the extent of HGH use in the league and their plans for testing to eliminate such use."

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In an email to The Associated Press, union head DeMaurice Smith said players' health and the safety and integrity of the game go hand in hand.

"I applaud the members in their request for a hearing and look forward to fully discussing all of these issues as soon as possible," he said. "We are sending letters to the teams immediately to assist Congress in its fact-finding mission."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league appreciated the lawmakers' commitment to the issue, "but there should be no need for this hearing if the union would simply live up to its agreements."

Upton's office had no immediate comment.