The House Oversight Committee announced Thursday that it is opening an investigation into sexual abuse of young female gymnasts following the sentencing of former doctor Larry Nassar.
Nassar has been sentenced to up to more than a century in prison for serially sexually abusing young gymnasts who sought treatment for their sports injuries.
A total of 156 women testified about his abuse at his sentencing hearing last month, as well as another 60 women at another sentencing hearing last week.
Oversight Committee leaders are asking entities involved, including the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, for documentation of how they handled complaints against Nassar.
“To ensure this never happens again, the Committee is seeking to understand what failed within our Olympic and collegiate systems, and why,” a letter from Oversight Committee members to USA Gymnastics President Kerry Perry reads.
“Sexual assault should never be tolerated, but when it does occur, it is imperative that swift and immediate action be taken to stop the abuse, prevent it from recurring, and address its effects.”
Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy
Harold (Trey) Watson GowdyContractor awarded 6 million to provide 30 million meals to Puerto Rico only delivered 50,000: report The Memo: Trump doubles down amid some GOP doubts Lawmakers dispute ‘vindication’ for Trump in Intel memo MORE (R-S.C.), ranking Democrat Elijah Cummings
Elijah Eugene CummingsHouse rejects effort to condemn lawmaker for demanding 'Dreamer' arrests Hispanic Dems seek vote to condemn GOP lawmaker for demanding arrests of 'Dreamers' Trump's vows to take on drug prices, opioids draw skepticism MORE (Md.) and Reps. Virginia Foxx
Virginia Ann FoxxStudents drowning in debt bewildered by claims college is a 'hammock' GOP bill scraps voter registration requirements for colleges GOP looks to scrap Obama-era rule on college credit hours MORE (R-N.C.), Carolyn Maloney
Carolyn Bosher MaloneyMnuchin: Stock markets are 'functioning very well' Democrat invites detained immigrant rights activist's wife to Trump State of the Union address House to vote on sexual assault reporting bill after Nassar sentencing MORE (D-N.Y.) and Steve Russell
Steven (Steve) Dane RussellWATCH: 'Accidents can happen,' GOP rep says about possible shutdown WATCH: GOP rep says Trump and media need to ‘call a truce’ GOP rep: Colleagues pressured me to vote for refugee bill MORE (R-Okla.) are leading the probe.
Since Nassar's sentencing, lawmakers of both parties have called on Congress to investigate how Nassar’s abuse went unabated for years.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee late last month began investigating sexual abuse in organized sports beyond gymnastics, including USA Swimming and USA Taekwondo.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen
Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenSenators call for probe into US Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics after abuse scandal Trump officials take heat for declining Russia sanctions Schumer to Trump administration: Who met with Putin's spy chief? MORE (D-N.H.) and Joni Ernst
Joni Kay ErnstSenators call for probe into US Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics after abuse scandal Senate Republicans call on Trump to preserve NAFTA Dems go on the attack during EPA chief's hearing MORE (R-Iowa) introduced a resolution on Wednesday that would establish a special committee to investigate how the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics responded to the allegations against Nassar.
The Oversight Committee’s announcement comes a week after Congress sent legislation to President Trump
Donald John TrumpTillerson: Russia already looking to interfere in 2018 midterms Dems pick up deep-red legislative seat in Missouri Speier on Trump's desire for military parade: 'We have a Napoleon in the making' MORE’s desk that requires athletic organizations to swiftly report sexual abuse and establish preventative policies.
The bill requires reporting of sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement within 24 hours. It also directs athletic organizations to establish “reasonable procedures” to limit one-on-one interactions between athletes who are minors and adults who aren’t their legal guardians.
Trump has not yet signed the measure into law.