“I believe that we can move forward in a measured, deliberative and bipartisan manner with legislation that seriously tackles drugs in sports,” Rush said.

Others politely disagreed.

“Sometimes I think we get our priorities out of order,” Blackburn said.

Fehr suggested one way Congress could help sports leagues: require a chemical marker be placed in commercially sold HGH so that the substance would be detectable in a urine test.

Meanwhile, Selig said he has met with Fehr and a group of players to discuss implementing the recommendations of former Sen. George Mitchell’s report on drug use in baseball. Selig said he hopes the “ongoing, detailed” talks produce a more independent, transparent and flexible drug testing program.

Rush said Mitchell was unable to attend Wednesday’s hearing because he is receiving radiation treatment for cancer. The chairman also said he was “exceptionally and extremely disappointed” that World Wrestling Entertainment chairman Vince McMahon was the only witness to decline the subcommittee’s invitation to testify.

“Today’s hearing is not a trivial matter. ... Steroid abuse in professional wrestling is probably worse than in any professional sport or amateur sport,” Rush said.

McMahon released a statement calling the comments about his absence “inaccurate and unfair.” He said he notified the subcommittee a month ago he could not attend because his lawyer was representing another client at a trial in Pennsylvania.

A second witness panel included the CEOs of the U.S. Olympic Committee, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, along with NCAA president Myles Brand.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

Horse racing was of particular concern to Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., who blamed steroids in part for the frequent breakdowns of horses on the track.

“Is it time to call the federal cavalry and send it chasing into your stables with guns blazing to clean up the sport of horse racing?” Whitfield said.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association CEO Alexander Waldrop said a “model rule” for steroids testing has been adopted in many horse racing states and that it is hoped that all states will adopt it by the end of 2008.

“If they don’t step up,” Waldrop said, “then it is incumbent upon the federal government to step up.”

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