Senate joins House in proposing bill for tougher steroid legislation

WASHINGTON -- Athletes in the four major U.S. professional leagues would be subject to two-year bans for a first positive drug test under legislation proposed Tuesday.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., joined House Government Reform Committee chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., and ranking Democrat Henry Waxman of California, in introducing the Clean Sports Act of 2005.

It's the second recent bill that would establish minimum, standardized steroids policies across the spectrum of American sports.

Rep. Cliff Stearns, a Florida Republican, proposed the Drug Free Sports Act of 2005 last month, and his committee will write the formal legislation Wednesday.

"There's got to be some kind of legislation that will absolutely test and punish professional athletes that use performance-enhancing drugs," McCain said Tuesday.

Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NBA and the NHL would be governed by the Clean Sports Act.