Washington, D.C.- Today, U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland), a Member of the House Government Reform Committee that will investigate steroid abuse in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Thursday, commended the NBA for proposing a stricter drug policy regarding performance-enhancing drugs.

The proposal calls for a 10-game suspension for a first offense, and a 25-game suspension for the second offense. The third offense would result in a dismissal and disqualification from the NBA with the possibility of reinstatement after two years, under exceptional circumstances. Currently, a first offense results in a five-game suspension, a second offense results in a 10 game suspension, and a third offense results in a 25 game suspension.

The proposal further calls for increasing the number of random tests for all players to four per season, and adding one random off-season test.

"I commend NBA Commissioner David Stern for his efforts to enforce stricter drug policies and I look forward to his testimony tomorrow to discuss this proposal," Congressman Cummings said. "It is my hope that the players will recognize the urgent need to adopt the recommended changes to the NBA's drug policy in order to send a strong message to the public that performance-enhancing drugs will not be tolerated in the game of basketball."

Commissioner Stern released the details of his proposal on the eve of a Government Reform Committee hearing to investigate the use of steroids in professional basketball. Thursday's hearing entitled, "Steroid Use in Sports Part III: Examining the National Basketball Association's Steroid Testing Program," is the third Government Reform hearing that examines the use of performance enhancing drugs in professional sports.

"It has become clear through our Government Reform hearings that our nation's children have suffered the most because of the acceptance and encouragement of steroid use in sports," Congressman Cummings noted. "The most compelling testimony has come from parents who say their children committed suicide after using steroids to achieve an 'ideal' image or level of performance."

Congressman Cummings continued, "That is why I am convinced that a zero tolerance policy is the only effective way to completely rid performance-enhancing drugs from athletics at every level. This is about more than just cheating. This a public health issue that affects the health and safety of every young person who has been convinced that the only way to succeed in sports is through illegal drug use."

The May 19th Government Reform hearing on steroid use in the NBA will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2154.

Those expected to testify include: Juan Dixon, Washington Wizards guard and Baltimore native; David Stern, Commissioner, National Basketball Association; Richard W. Buchanan, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, National Basketball Association; William Hunter, Executive Director, National Basketball Players Association; and Keith Jones, Vice President of Operations and Trainer, Houston Rockets.