In a rare show of bi-partisan support for legislation in the American system, Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Roger Wicker were among those to introduce the act yesterday.

They were joined by representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and Michael Burgess.

The proposed law is aimed at establishing criminal penalties for participating in "a scheme in commerce to influence a major international sport competition through prohibited substances or methods".

This could apply to all major international sport competitions in which American athletes participate, as well as where organisers receive sponsorship from companies doing business in the US or are compensated for the right to broadcast their competition in the country.

Lawmakers have stated penalties would include fines of up to $1 million (£790,000/€870,000) or imprisonment of up to ten years, depending on the offence.

It is claimed athletes and other persons who are victims of doping conspiracies shall be entitled to mandatory restitution for losses inflicted upon them by fraudsters and conspirators.

Helsinki Commissioner Whitehouse and Orrin Hatch introduced the act, named after former Moscow Laboratory director turned whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, in December.

The introduction of the bill in the Senate and House comes after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) refused to impose any sanction on Russia, despite the country failing to meet a December 31 deadline to hand over data from the Moscow Laboratory, last week.

"We know from experience that we must meet the bad behavior of Russia’s corrupt Government with strength," said Senator Whitehouse.

"Anything less they take as encouragement. 

"That's why the responses of WADA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to the Russian doping scandal fall woefully short. 

"Now is the time to create stiff penalties for Russia's cheating and send a signal that Russia and other sponsors of state-directed fraud can't use corruption as a tool of foreign policy."

In a statement, Rodchenkov's lawyer Jim Walden welcomed the development, claiming it was a "remarkable act of bipartisan courage".

"Clean athletes need protection from somewhere," he said.

"Since WADA and the IOC have proven themselves completely ineffective to deter doping fraud, the US Department of Justice is well equipped to fill that void."

The IOC have publicly criticised the act, claiming it could put all athletes under the United States criminal code.