Congress will investigate whether disgraced Oriole slugger Rafael Palmeiro perjured himself when he told a House committee in March that he hadn’t taken steroids, the chairman of the House Government Reform Committee said yesterday.

The latest bombshell came on a day one angry New York lawmaker suggested Palmeiro is “a liar” and called on Congress to hold new hearings into the sports-steroid scandal – hearings that could feature high-profile stars not called in March.

“As a practical matter, perjury referrals are uncommon,” Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) told The Associated Press. “Prosecutions are rare. But this is a high-profile case, so I think it will get an honest look-see. I don’t think anyone can avoid it.

“If we did nothing, I think we’d look like idiots, don’t you?”

On March 17, Palmeiro appeared before Davis’ panel and – pointing a finger in the air – said under oath, “I have never used steroids. Period.”

But Monday, it was announced Palmeiro had failed a steroid test and was suspended by baseball for 10 games.

The perjury issue arose after Davis and Rep. Henry Waxman of California, the committee’s ranking Democrat, sent a request to MLB yesterday for documents pertaining to Palmeiro’s failed test – including all of his past drug tests.

Palmeiro agreed to cooperate and has given permission to MLB to release the confidential information.

“I spoke with Congressman Davis yesterday and told him that I will fully cooperate with him and the committee,” Palmeiro said in a statement. “I will provide them with any information they need, and if he or any other committee member has additional questions, I am ready and willing to answer each and every one of them.”

But that may be just the beginning.

If Palmeiro is called back to Capitol Hill, he may not be alone. An angry Rep. John Sweeney (R-N.Y.) yesterday asked Davis to use the committee’s subpoena power to call MLB executives, coaches, trainers and players to testify.

“All current information suggests that Rafael Palmeiro is a liar,” Sweeney wrote to Davis (R-Va.).

“In news reports, Mr. Palmeiro has stated he doesn’t know how these steroids got into his body, insinuating steroids may have entered his body via a dietary supplement. News leaks have confirmed that Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for stanozolol – a powerful anabolic steroid that is not available in dietary supplements. Mr. Palmeiro knew he was taking stanozolol. He knew when he celebrated his 3,000th hit. He knew when he participated in your no-tolerance anti-steroids group conference call.”

The committee’s vice-chairman, Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), said yesterday he also wants to hear from Palmeiro.

“It was disquieting that the one person that came off looking good at the hearing is one of the first ones to get caught,” Shays said. “It’s a matter of interest of how he could make the statements he made. … We pleaded with them to just tell the truth.”

Should the committee call another hearing, the witness list could get interesting. Players who were involved in the BALCO case – such as Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield – were either not subpoenaed or were excused in March because of the pending case. That case ended last month when all of the defendants pleaded guilty, meaning those players could now be called.

“Everyone is fair game,” Shays said.

Besides grilling Palmeiro on his statements, the committee would also like to know more about the time frame between his failed test and suspension. Palmeiro reportedly tested positive in May, went through an appeals process and was suspended Monday.

Some have speculated that MLB withheld announcing the suspension until after his 3,000th hit (July 15) and last weekend’s Hall of Fame inductions.

“MLB has been reluctant to address this problem, instead choosing to protect their own,” Sweeney wrote to Davis. “I am concerned MLB was trying to protect its image by delaying the release of the name of the first high-profile player testing positive for steroids.”

SENDIN’ LETTERS (Metro)

Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) and Ranking MinorityMember Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) issued the following statement yesterday:

“The Government Reform Committee today is requesting from Major LeagueBaseball documents related to Rafael Palmeiro’s suspension for a positivesteroids test. The Committee is seeking the results of the drug tests, thedate of the tests, and other relevant information. “Chairman Davis had a conversation with Mr. Palmeiro and his representativesyesterday evening. We are pleased that Mr. Palmeiro has pledged his full cooperation.

Replying to the statement, Baltimore first baseman Rafael Palmeiro issued this:

“I spoke with Congressman Davis yesterday and told him that I will fully cooperate with him and the Committee. I will provide them with any information they need and if he or any other Committee member has additional questions, I am ready and willing to answer each and every one of them”

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All about stanozolol

* It’s brand name is Winstrol.

* It is an anabolic steroid which has the same properties as the natural hormone testosterone.

* Usage is believed to increase the production of protein by the body and enhance muscle development.

* It’s legal use is to treat hereditary angioedema, more commonly known as Hives.

* It’s common side effects include headaches, rashes, yellowing of the skin and eyes, acne, increased hair growth and liver tumors.