House panel approves steroid bill

WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Wednesday approved a bill cracking down

on the sale of performance-enhancing supplements favored by major league athletes.

The legislation would extend the federal classification for anabolic steroids to any supplement "chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone," making such substances illegal for sale.

The move is propelled by growing concerns on Capitol Hill about the use of such currently legal substances by professional athletes, particularly in Major League Baseball, and calls for industry-wide reform by President Bush.

The measure is on the fast track with the potential for it to be considered on the House floor by late April.