Krishnamoorthi, Moolenaar, Colleagues Introduce the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act as U.S. Withholds Funding to WADA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the CCP, alongside U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), released the following statements after introducing the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act. This legislation would permanently provide the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) the authority to withhold up to the full amount of membership dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if the organization fails to operate as a fair and independent actor to ensure athletes are competing in drug-free Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The U.S. is currently withholding funding from WADA after new details emerged about the agency’s complicity in covering up the wrongdoing of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug before the 2021 Olympics. WADA has threatened to remove the U.S. from a position on its Executive Committee for withholding funding.
“Athletes and spectators across the globe must be able to trust that we have a level playing field for all levels of sports, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said the Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi. “Our Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act will help free the sports world from performance-enhancing drugs by ensuring anti-doping standards are properly enforced, thereby protecting the integrity of the highest levels of competition for clean athletes around the world.”
“This bipartisan legislation builds on the U.S. funding freeze for WADA by delivering substantive accountability and reform,” said Chairman Moolenaar. “Athletes deserve a fair and level playing field, and this bill ensures transparency and supports clean competition in international sports.”
“Since details of the Chinese doping scandal emerged, the World Anti-Doping Agency has tried to intimidate advocates for fair play at every single turn, and its officials have also stonewalled and lied to Congress,” said Senator Blackburn. “My colleagues and I have a message for WADA, the IOC, and any other international organization who tries to strong arm the United States: we are calling your bluff, and we won’t be silenced in our mission to promote fair play in sports. There must be real oversight and accountability at WADA, and that starts by passing this legislation.”
“Both our Olympians and the public should have confidence that all athletes competing in the Olympic Games are held to the same standards. But for too long we’ve lacked that assurance, due to WADA’s failure to provide transparency and accountability when it comes to enforcing anti-doping measures,” said Senator Van Hollen. “Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will help restore faith that athletes from around the world are playing on a fair and level field and ensure the integrity of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) also co-sponsored this legislation.
Read more HERE.
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