The reports of drug and steroids abuse among professional wrestlers, which flourished after Chris Benoit killed his wife, 7-year-old son, and himself have caught the attention of Congress.

In what is likely the first step toward possible hearings this fall, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has asked World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon to voluntarily come forward with documents detailing his organization's drug policy.

The committee wants to know about the WWE's testing as well as information on the deaths, injuries or illnesses of all current and former professional wrestlers that may have been related to the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.

In a letter sent to McMahon on Friday, committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and ranking member Tom Davis (R-Va.) cited the Benoit tragedy and admissions from former wrestlers as possible evidence of "a culture of performance-enhancing drug use in professional wrestling."

The letter also referred to recent investigations by journalists that have detailed widespread drug and steroids abuse in the industry and the premature deaths of many young wrestlers.

"WWE has a responsibility to do everything possible to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing drugs — or the perception of such use — by its wrestlers," the letter said.

WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt could not be reached for comment late Friday afternoon.

Davis made national headlines in 2005 when he headed the committee as it questioned former Major League sluggers Marc McGwire, Jose Canseco, Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa about possible steroids use in baseball.