U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on Feb. 3 sponsored the bipartisan United States Anti-Doping Agency Reauthorization Act of 2020, which includes increased appropriations for fiscal years 2021 through 2029.
If enacted, S. 3248 would ensure that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) “has the necessary tools and resources ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles,” Sen. Moran said on Tuesday.
Sen. Moran introduced the legislation with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). The members are chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, which has jurisdiction over the health and safety of amateur athletes.
Congress in 2001 recognized the USADA as the official agency to fight the use of performance-enhancing drugs toward creating a fair and level playing field for athletes competing in the Olympics, Paralympics, Pan American, and Parapan Games.
The nonprofit USADA is partially funded through the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy and is responsible for administering testing, processing results, providing drug reference resources, athlete education, and conducting research, according to information provided by Sen. Moran’s office.
Among several provisions, S. 3248 would increase appropriations for the USADA in fiscal year (FY) 2021 to $15.5 million; to $16.2 million in FY 2022; to $16.9 million in FY 2023; to $17.7 million in FY 2024; to $18.5 million in FY 2025; to $19.8 million in FY 2026; to $22.1 million in FY 2027; to $24.9 million in FY 2028; and for FY 2029 funding would increase to $23.7 million, according to the text of the bill.
“Since its inception, USADA has modeled integrity and fair competition for the international athletic community and anti-doping agencies around the world,” said Sen. Moran. “By consistently ensuring that American athletes compete in a fair and clean manner, USADA strengthens the integrity of athletics and makes clear to other nations that we will not accept anything short of true sport.”
The USADA supports S. 3248, according to Travis Tygart, CEO of the organization.
“By passing this legislation, the U.S. sends a strong signal of its commitment to clean sport to athletes worldwide preparing for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo,” said Tygart.