The oversight committee “has the power to conduct investigations on almost any subject as long as it relates to the public health,” assistant U.S. attorney Steven Durham said in his opening statement, which lasted about 55 minutes. The panel, led in 2008 by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), wanted to protect young people “from dangerous drugs and dangerous influences.” [...]
[House parliamentarian Charles] Johnson testified that the House Oversight Committee had broad authority to conduct investigations and could “bring to light important facts that don’t result in the passage of legislation.” [...]
Durham then successfully asked Johnson to assert that Congress has the authority to consider drug policy and to regulate businesses such as Major League Baseball.
The jury later heard testimony from Phil Barnett, who served as staff director for the Oversight Committee when Clemens testified. He defended the panel’s decision to hold the steroid hearings, citing the public-health interest.
