In considering the newest wrinkle to add federal oversight in horse racing, this time through the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), a House subcommittee discussed the sport's equine health and integrity issues at a Nov. 21 hearing in Washington, D.C.

The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade is considering legislation (HR 2012) that would give the USADA the responsibility of ensuring the integrity and safety of racing. The legislation was considered during a hearing that lasted about 70 minutes Thursday in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Racing currently is regulated at the state level but the bill would require any track that wishes to participate in interstate wagering, where most of racing's pari-mutuel revenue is generated, to submit to USADA oversight on drug issues.

The USADA and its chief executive officer Travis Tygart are best known for their 2012 report outlining doping by cyclist Lance Armstrong and his teammates. Tygart said his non-profit group that serves as the anti-doping organization for Olympic sports in the U.S. is ready to include horse racing under its umbrella