Stories / Sports and Recreation / Event · Aug 4 – Oct 2, 2026
Protect College Sports Act
The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act on September 28-29, establishing a federal framework for college athletics, name-image-likeness compensation, and athlete protections. Four senators praised passage, while three Democratic senators opposed it, citing concerns about athlete protections and labor rights. One senator led efforts to modify conference membership provisions.
AI summary of the releases below · Oct 7, 2026
How the conversation moved
Democrat Republican · one dot = one action| Action type | Wk ofJul 5 | Wk ofJul 12 | Wk ofJul 19 | Wk ofJul 26 | Wk ofAug 25 | Wk ofAug 91 | Wk ofAug 16 | Wk ofAug 231 | Wk ofAug 30 | Wk ofSep 6 | Wk ofSep 1314 | Wk ofSep 203 | Wk ofSep 2713 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sent lettersTo agencies, companies, officials | 1 | |||||||||||||
| HearingsHeld, testified or questioned | 2 | |||||||||||||
| StatementsResponses to news | 1 | |||||||||||||
| CriticizedA policy, decision or person | 7 | |||||||||||||
| PraisedCredit for a decision or person | 7 | |||||||||||||
| Filed or pushed billsNew, reintroduced or passed | 15 | |||||||||||||
| Other | 4 |
Where they stand
Support · 24
- RYoung INSupported bill bringing clear rules and protections for student-athletes
- DRosen NVHelped pass bipartisan bill protecting student-athletes
- RSheehy MTSecured Senate passage of Army-Navy game broadcast protection
- RMoody FLAmended bill to increase conference cap from 19 to 20 teams
- DHickenlooper COPraised bill protecting Olympic and non-revenue sports
- RCrapo IDSupports bill providing clarity for student athletes and NIL compensation standards
- RCornyn TXPraised passage of legislation restoring order in college athletics
- RCapito WVApplauded passage of legislation establishing college athletics standards
- DWelch VTPraised bipartisan bill establishing national college sports rules
- RSchmitt MOPraised Senate passage of Protect College Sports Act to provide regulatory clarity
- RRicketts NEVoted to pass bill protecting college sports and student-athletes
- DPadilla CAVoted for bill strengthening health, safety and academic standards
- DDurbin ILVoted for Protect College Sports Act with student athlete safety amendment
- RCruz TXPraised Senate passage of Protect College Sports Act
- RHoeven NDCosponsored and celebrated Senate passage of college sports fairness legislation
- RCramer NDVoted for the bill
- DCoons DECo-sponsored and praised the bill's passage
- DCantwell WALed bipartisan effort to pass the bill
- DBaldwin WIVoted for bill to set national NIL rules and protect student-athletes' legal rights
- RBritt ALQuestioned witnesses on protecting women in sports
- DWarner VASupported bill protecting athlete compensation, scholarships and health care access
- RHusted OHAdvocated for TEAM USA Act limiting international student-athletes on varsity teams
- RBanks INOffered amendment to prevent federal preemption of state women's sports protections
- RHawley MOFiled amendment to safeguard state transgender sports bans
Oppose · 5
- DMurphy CTOpposes bill granting NCAA antitrust exemption and capping athlete earnings
- DBlunt Rochester DEOpposes the bill for inadequate athlete protections and labor rights concerns
- DBlumenthal CTOpposes the bill for inadequate athlete protections and conference access
- DBooker NJOpposed bill for undermining college athletes' rights and shielding NCAA
- DKaine VAOpposed bill for failing to adequately protect student athlete rights
What each party did · Democrats 15 · Republicans 22
- 0Sent letters1
- 0Hearings2
- 1Statements0
- 7Criticized0
- 3Praised4
- 2Filed or pushed bills13
- 2Other2
Most active
By state
+14 more with fewer actions
Every action
37 actions · 48 releases- Oct 2, 2026
- Letter
- Sep 29, 2026
- Praise
RYoung IN, DHickenlooper CO, RCornyn TX, RCapito WV
Praised Senate passage of Protect College Sports Act.
- Bill
- Bill
Secured Senate passage of Protect America's Game Act creating broadcast window for Army-Navy game.
- Bill
- Bill
- Praise
- Sep 28, 2026
- Praise
DWelch VT, RSchmitt MO, RCruz TX, DCoons DE, DCantwell WA
Praised Senate passage of bipartisan Protect College Sports Act.
- Bill
RRicketts NE, DPadilla CA, DDurbin IL, RHoeven ND, DBaldwin WI
Voted to pass Protect College Sports Act.
- Criticism
Opposed Protect College Sports Act, arguing it threatens college athletics long-term.
- Bill
Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act establishing national rules for college athletics.
- Criticism
Opposed the Protect College Sports Act, citing concerns about athlete enforcement and labor rights.
- Criticism
Voted against the Protect College Sports Act, saying it fails to protect athletes and preserve competition.
- Criticism
Opposed Protect College Sports Act on Senate floor, siding with college athletes and civil rights organizations.
- Praise
- Sep 25, 2026
- Hearing
- Sep 22, 2026
- Criticism
- Bill
- Sep 17, 2026
- Praise
Praised Senate advancement of Protect College Sports Act establishing federal athlete rights.
- Praise
- Sep 15, 2026
- Statement
Voted for Protect College Sports Act, supporting athlete compensation and health protections.
- Bill
- Criticism
Opposed Protect College Sports Act, arguing it protects NCAA exploitation and suppresses athlete compensation.
- Bill
Spoke in support of TEAM USA Act limiting international student-athletes to 20% of varsity teams.
- Praise
Supported the Protect College Sports Act to ensure fairness and stability in college athletics.
- Praise
- Bill
Senate advanced Cantwell's bipartisan bill to regulate college sports spending and protect student athletes.
- Statement
Cantwell released report showing 94% of Division I athletic programs spending more than revenue.
- Statement
- Sep 14, 2026
- Criticism
Criticized Protect College Sports Act for giving NCAA power to silence athletes.
- Statement
Advocated for Protect College Sports Act to address college athletics regulation issues.
- Hearing
Spoke in support of Protect College Sports Act at Capitol Hill press conference.
- Statement
Joined coaches and athletes supporting Protect College Sports Act ahead of Senate vote.
- Criticism
- Sep 13, 2026
- Statement
- Aug 25, 2026
- Bill
Held press conference promoting Protect College Sports Act to improve college athletics fairness.
- Bill
- Aug 13, 2026
- Bill
Supported bipartisan Protect College Sports Act establishing nationwide standards for NIL and transfers.
- Bill
- Aug 7, 2026
- Bill
- Aug 6, 2026
- Praise
- Bill
- Bill
- Aug 4, 2026
- Praise
Summaries, action types, amounts and positions are read from each press release by AI and can be wrong. Joint releases (same day, same action, matching title or amount) count once. How it works