YouSaid · the spoken record
Ted Cruz
On the record 2025–2026
congress
This is everything the corpus holds for Ted Cruz. It is not everything they have said on the record.
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“I would far rather American values suffuse AI: free speech, individual liberty, free enterprise, individual rights. So winning the race for AI matters enormously. Are there risks from AI? Of course. Any new tool has risks. I think we need guardrails particularly to protect against risks in the nuclear space with biohazards and critical infrastructure. Those are some of the most fundamental risks that we face. We need to, as with any technology, have rules, but those rules should be bipartisan, and they should be measured and prudent. I don't believe we are there yet, although I am very happy to work with my colleagues constructively to get there and to get there in a bipartisan manner. As of now, though, I object.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“The answer is that one or the other will win, and to whichever country wins, trillions of dollars of investment will follow as will millions of new jobs. I want those millions of new jobs to be here in America. I don't want them in China. More fundamentally, as to whichever nation wins that race, the values of that nation will suffuse AI. I do not want the world using an AI that is governed by the values of communist China, that is, governed by surveillance and espionage and propaganda and coercion and control. The Chinese communist Government wants to use AI to control its citizenry and to control everyone else. I am not interested in the American people being captive to that degree of power by the Chinese communist Government.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“I would be more than happy to work with the sponsors on approaches that do not offer such unbounded discretion to the Federal Government and that are not an invitation for abuse, approaches like involving independent judges, which preserves debate and transparency through the adversarial process of litigation. Federal standards on advanced AI must also address the burgeoning patchwork of State laws. I would be glad to address my concerns with the sponsors and to work together. We need a bipartisan solution. AI offers enormous potential, and the question of who wins the race for AI, whether it is the United States or China, I believe is the single most important economic question facing America.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“This bill would let the executive branch handpick a new AI safety board to unilaterally draft standards for AI developers on whatever it believes is related to ``national security, national economic security, or public health and safety.'' The Secretary of Commerce, in turn, would need to mandate by rule that AI developers then follow those standards. The Secretary would also exercise unilateral authority to change those standards based on national security. These terms are not bound by existing statutes or traditional legal doctrines or are even further defined. That concerns me because it is difficult to imagine what an ambitious bureaucrat couldn't shoehorn under this broad authority.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“I would note that with all three of the Democrat Senators on the floor, I have worked productively on other legislative matters, and I look forward to continuing to work productively on this matter as well which, I agree, is of exceptional importance. As the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I have also been having extensive and constructive conversations with Majority Leader Thune and Senator Klobuchar to give the government new authorities to protect against the potential catastrophic risks from AI. I think that is important. Now, I agree with Senators Warner, Schatz, and Kim that our artificial intelligence presents new challenges. Some of the warnings we have had are as scary as hell. I commend my colleagues for wanting to tackle the issue, but I retain real reservations about this specific proposal.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“Madam President, in reserving the right to object, there is no doubt that AI will have profound effects on America's economy, national security, and culture. It is already having an enormous beneficial impact on economic growth and productivity. Millions of Americans are using AI for everyday tasks like handling home repairs, teaching their children math, conducting legal research, or using it to work to draft memos. It is incredibly useful, and it will only become more so. So Congress must not legislate on the issue of artificial intelligence hastily or in a closed manner. Robust AI legislation needs to involve both sides, and I trust that my Democratic friends who are on the floor today genuinely want to work together on this.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, it is late at night, and I want to thank the many Members and staff who have worked tirelessly to pass landmark legislation to protect and save something precious and unique in America that is college sports. And I want to especially thank the original four sponsors of this bill, ranking member Maria Cantwell, who was indefatigable in pushing through to reach bipartisan compromise. I want to thank the Presiding Officer Senator Schiff--Senator Schmitt rather, and I want to thank--I will thank Senator Schiff, too, with a ``yes'' vote. And I want to thank Senator Coons. The four original sponsors have worked tirelessly along with our staff. We are here at long last on the verge of something historic. And thank you to everyone, and with that, I yield back all time.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“There is no hard cap on individual athletes. So it would not work. It would put unworkable and burdensome requirements on the coaches and hurt the competitiveness of college sports. Therefore, I urge a ``no'' vote. Vote on Amendment No. 6835”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, this amendment takes rules that are designed for student-athlete eligibility and applies them to coaches, and those are vastly different situations. The existing bill has significant constraints on coaches already. For example, it adopts a rule--a rule that is used in the NFL right now-- that coaches cannot be recruited away from a program during the season or during the playoff; they can only be recruited away during the offseason so that you don't have a situation like what happened at Ole Miss last year, which I think was unfair to the players. In addition, this bill also includes a provision that Senator Lujan drafted that was adopted at markup that puts some constraints on coaches' salaries. But Senator Booker's amendment would put a hard cap on coaches' salaries. This bill does not do that to individual athletes.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“It comes at the expense of scholarships and benefits for student-athletes. And, in the end, unfunded mandates lead to fewer roster spots, fewer scholarships, and cuts to sports. So I urge a ``no'' vote.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I oppose this amendment. It doubles the maximum size of the bill's medical fund from $100 million to $200 million and sticks the bill on the school in your State. The Protect College Sports Act already establishes the most sweeping new health protections in history for student-athletes. Division I schools right now must cover out-of-pocket costs for injuries while athletes are enrolled and for 5 years after their eligibility ends. At markup, the Commerce Committee adopted Senator Kim's amendment which allowed the trust fund to increase up to $100 million. This amendment skips way past that and doubles that, adding an additional $100 million. Where does that money come from? It comes from the schools at the expense of student-athletes. It comes at the expense of revenue-share payments.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“This amendment would prevent that small school whose fans believe they are playoff material from being able to respond to that fan interest and build revenues that could be put back in the university and back into the student-athletes. And, critically, the revenue that is shared with student-athletes comes from ticket sales. So capping the prices on ticket sales would reduce the revenue that is available to student-athletes. I encourage Members to vote no.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I understand the sentiment behind my friend Senator Kennedy's amendment. I, nonetheless, oppose the amendment and urge a ``no'' vote. This amendment would set a price control on college sports tickets. The amendment does not distinguish between large institutions and small institutions, applies the same mandate to every university and every single sport from the small local community college to the HBCU to a large Power Four school. This will harm schools from being able to respond when market factors change. For example, let's say a small school has an unbelievable football season and is considered college football playoff material. The next season, that same team has a schedule that is playing well-known teams like Notre Dame or Alabama that are drawing a significant crowd and increased fan interest and demand.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“I ask unanimous consent that following disposition of the Baldwin amendment, all remaining votes in relation to S. 4668 be 10 minutes in length.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be 2 minutes of debate, equally divided between the proponents and opponents, prior to each vote in relation to S. 4668.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII and notwithstanding adoption of the Cruz-Cantwell substitute amendment, the following be the only amendments in order: Baldwin, No. 6828; Scott of South Carolina, No. 6830; Paul, No. 6758; Kennedy, No. 6760 at a 60-vote threshold; Moody-Blumenthal, No. 6831; Booker, No. 6805; Booker, No. 6835; further, that the Senate vote in relation to the amendments in the order listed and with 60 affirmative votes required for adoption of the Kennedy amendment; further, following disposition of the Booker amendment, Calendar No. 449, S. 4668, as amended, if further amended, be read a third time and the Senate vote on passage of the bill as amended; finally, if passed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“I yield the floor.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“A 3-pointer. The buzzer sounds. The crowd erupts. That Cinderella story is what the Protect College Sports Act is trying to preserve. It is about protecting the underdog and ensuring that each and every team has the opportunity to develop and compete and maybe even make it to the Final Four next season, but those stories only happen if those teams still exist. So I urge my colleagues: Let's show the American people that bipartisanship still exists. Let's show them that Republicans and Democrats can still come together to solve a problem facing this country. Let's protect millions of student-athletes. Let's protect the traditions. Let's protect the future of college sports. Let's pass the Protect College Sports Act, and let's get a big bipartisan vote in this body to show that the Senate can still make a difference in America.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“I would also like to extend my deepest thanks to my staff director on the committee, Brad Grantz, and to my policy director for consumer protection, Joel Wellum. Brad and Joel both joined the committee when I became ranking member and began working on this issue right away. They have been dedicated for the past 3 years to resolving the chaos that is college sports. I also want to thank their wives Katie and Stephanie for enduring the many hours away from the family so they can pass this landmark legislation. In the course of this bill, I have used more than a few football analogies, so I am going to switch it up tonight. Picture March Madness. A Cinderella team that few thought would make it past the opening round is facing the No. 1 seed. The clock is winding down. The underdog is down by 2 points with 1 second left. The ball goes up.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“From Ranking Member Cantwell's committee and personal office staff, I would like to thank Lila Helms, Melissa Porter, Nicole Frazer, Phil Murphy, Ramesh Nagarajan, Erik Eykel, Kate Sprague, Ciara O'Donoghue, Josie Lang, Tricia Enright, Rob Blumenthal, Seth Kolloen, Elizabeth Cuttner, Amit Ronen, Ansley Lacitis, Lauren Bazel, and Shannon Smith. I would also like to thank from my team Brad Grantz, Joel Wellum, Blair Taylor, Robert Smith, Mike Spierto, Ryan Cannon, Bethany Holden, Rachel Cusnir, Christina Herrera, Dan Huguenin, and Nicole Christus from the Commerce Committee and John Etue, Preston Howey, Omri Ceren, Macarena Martinez, and Chavonne Ludick from my personal office. This team is extraordinary, and I cannot thank them all enough for their incredibly hard work day in and day out.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Don't take my word for it; take their word for it. They are the ones on the frontlines directly impacted by the chaos unfolding. This bill isn't perfect. No bill ever is. What this bill reflects is a compromise--tough conversations and Republicans and Democrats sitting across the table from one another, working through disagreements, and producing legislation that can actually get across the finish line. I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to my staff and to the staff of Ranking Member Cantwell who have devoted thousands of hours to working on this bill.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“It protects NIL opportunities because student-athletes deserve the opportunity to benefit from their talent without being taken advantage of by unscrupulous agents and backdoor deals. It creates clear, enforceable rules for eligibility and transfers. It protects our traditions and rivalries. It prevents the most powerful and wealthy conferences from breaking away to form a superleague. But most importantly, it protects our student-athletes. It ensures that the men's volleyball player has a team to come back to next year. It ensures that a first-generation student who excels in track and field has the opportunity to receive an education. It ensures that when American athletes compete on the Olympic stage, it is the United States and not China and not Russia bringing home the gold.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Young men and women are losing opportunities to compete and receive an education. The question before this body is whether we will act or stand by while the institution that Americans have known and loved for generations--college sports--is fundamentally changed. Will we protect the future of women's sports, of Olympic sports, of nonrevenue sports, or allow college athletics to be consumed by uncontrollable bidding wars that force schools to cut programs simply because they don't generate headlines or massive television contracts? The answer to this question should be simple: We must act, and we must act now. We must pass the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act. This bill puts an end to the chaos plaguing college athletics.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“A conference or institution's decisions to join or participate in this pooled media entity is completely voluntary and optional. We have made clear that they cannot be held liable for a decision not to join the entity nor can they be forced to join or participate in the entity. Moreover, this title makes clear that it does impact any existing contracts. Madam President, today, the Senate has the opportunity to protect more than half a million college student-athletes and the millions more who will follow in their footsteps. The era of NIL is here, and it is not going away. Yet the system we have today is unsustainable, plain and simple. Students are transferring three and four times. Pros are trying to play ball against college kids. Conflicting court decisions have created a fragmented system--one that no one intended.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“``Field Preemption''--related to NIL compensation matters, transfer, and subsections (a)(1)-(3) or (b) of section 113. Those specified eligibility categories are: No. 1, you have to be a student athlete; No. 2, you can't be a professional athlete; No. 3, you have to meet academic standards; and No. 4, you have to abide by the age restrictions and maximum number of years to play. We made a deliberate drafting choice to only have ``field preemption'' for subsections (a)(1)-(3) or (b) to ensure that States can legislate on eligibility matters not covered in the PCSA, provided that those laws also don't ``conflict'' with the PCSA.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We do not want to provide any avenue for judicial decisions to prohibit enforcement of the revenue share cap or prohibit modifications to the settlement when the PCSA governs a specific requirement. This exception intends to prevent that type of conclusion to be drawn by a court because it would defeat a critical purpose for why Congress passed the PCSA. I would like to briefly discuss how the PCSA's eligibility standards relate to the PCSA's preemption in section 121. Section 113 specifies eligibility standards for individuals to participate in NCAA D1 or D2 college athletics. Per section 118, if the NCAA, conferences, or institutions enforce or comply with these provisions, they will receive antitrust immunity. Section 113 species five eligibility standards: You have to be a student athlete. You have to meet academic standards.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Second, section 123(b)(2) specifies a ``pending case'' cannot allow a student athlete eligibility to compete or participate on a D1 or D2 sports team for more than 5 total years. We do not want the PCSA's eligibility provisions to be undermined by court orders that directly conflict with the implementation of the PCSA's eligibility provisions. Third, section 123(b)(2) does not permit a ``pending case'' to undermine the revenue share cap. The PCSA's modifications to the House settlement, as well as the implementation of the broader settlement framework contemplated in this bill, are critical to its success at stabilizing college sports and ending the legal chaos.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“But there are several provisions--specifically in section 114--where we have chosen a different Federal requirement than in the settlement. For example, in section 114, the PCSA: 1. Counts associated entity compensation towards the rev share cap, 2. Creates a retention fund that allows schools to exceed the rev share cap with certain requirements, 3. Requires MMR and other certain corporate sponsors to provide certifications, 4. Requires all NIL deals--including third party deals--to be subject to a valid business purpose test. We do not want the PCSA to terminate the House settlement. We fully expect that the settlement will remain in effect. We instead chose to enact Federal requirements to govern when the PCSA establishes a different requirement than what is in the settlement.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“That decision should not be construed as affirming that an entity that acts in this manner should not be considered ``associated.'' We instead decided that this CSC guidance and practice was upheld by the Special Master and subsequently by a Federal court. We understood the existing CSC guidance and practice to inform the application of the term ``associated entity'' and that deals involving MMRs, corporate sponsors, or any third party will be scrutinized to ensure there is no effort to elude being considered an associated entity. In fact, we have added legally-enforceable certification requirements by schools, vendors, and MMRs, when applicable, to uphold the cap and prevent circumvention. The PCSA recognizes, protects, and codifies portions of the House settlement, particularly with respect to the revenue share cap.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We further considered the ongoing debate in the courts around whether MMRs or collectives should constitute associated entities. There has yet to be case, and likely never will be one, when an MMR is anything but an ``associated entity.'' The PCSA adopts the settlement's definition of ``associated entity'' and also expressly states that collectives are ``associated entities.'' As introduced, the PCSA included text to clarify that an entity was ``associated'' if they ``acted for the benefit of, in coordination with, or at the direction of the institution.'' This was discussed within the College Sports Commission's guidance and practice, but we ended up removing that phrase from the definition to ensure consistent definitions for ease of compliance.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The list goes on. The support for this bill is overwhelming, and time is of the essence. Let's get this done. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“The threat of the wealthiest programs breaking away for a superleague? The scholarships being cut week after week after week? We can avoid all of that. Let's protect college sports for the thousands of student-athletes who feel like they are navigating ``the Wild West,'' as Boston University swimmer Gannon Flynn put it during our college sports roundtable. Let's fix it for the coaches who feel that college athletics are ``truly under attack,'' as Middle Tennessee State University head football coach Derek Mason said. This is not sustainable. College sports is a unique American tradition that is worth protecting. We have an enormous coalition behind this bill, including the United Negro College Fund, the NFL, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, the NBA Players Association, the NFL Players Association, the U.S.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“Legal certainty is not immunity from accountability. The latest text preserves existing legal claims and makes clear that the bill's notice-and-cure process cannot shield institutions from damages claims involving serious misconduct such as sexual assault and abuse. We must not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Not everyone got everything they wanted. Frankly, I didn't, and neither did my counterpart, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell. But this is what legislating means. It means Republicans and Democrats listening to each other and finding middle ground. It means compromising to reach an agreement. It is the way our Founding Fathers designed the legislative process for the good of the whole. For those few who remain unmoved: Where is your commonsense alternative? What are you suggesting can stop the legal chaos?”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“We didn't stop there. Before the bill made it to the floor, we heard concerns from the Big Ten and the SEC and worked toward finding a solution. We earned their support. We tightened the revenue-sharing rules, made sure student-athletes got their fair share of revenue, strengthened NIL transparency, further addressed tampering and recruitment, and made clear that participation in pooled media rights is voluntary. Negotiations didn't stop. In getting the bill to the Senate floor, we enhanced NCAA oversight and accountability, gave States the ability to impose stronger health and safety protections, protected existing broadcast contracts, and softened conference realignment restrictions in certain cases. Now, some of my colleagues remain concerned that this bill gives too much legal protection to the NCAA. Let me be clear.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“Just last week, more than 30 students and coaches took time out of their days and flew to Washington to make that point on the grounds of the Capitol. To my colleagues: Listen to your constituents. Listen to student- athletes. Listen to the fans. And listen to the sponsors of the bill, just as I have listened to you. We have heard our colleagues' concern, and the bill before us is not the bill we started with. We sat down at the table with Republicans and Democrats, and we made changes. This was not done at the eleventh hour. During the Commerce Committee markup in June, we addressed concerns about the potential formation of a superleague, we clarified the bill's Sports Broadcasting Act provisions, and we added additional representation for midsize conferences. These are just three of the many amendments and adjustments that were made.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“Justices said that perhaps Congress might want to revisit whether this is an appropriate fit, noting that Congress has amended the antitrust laws for certain situations and entities in the past and that it may choose to do so again in the future to address college sports. It would be nice if college sports could somehow magically fix itself, but this is a matter of law, Federal law, and it is only Congress that can fix it. I know some argue that college sports are doing just fine. They point to high television ratings, enthusiastic fan bases, and packed stadiums. But popularity does not demonstrate that a system is healthy; it simply proves that the system is worth saving. Fans cannot merely hope that this problem will correct itself. The courts can decide cases. Conferences can make their own rules. The NCAA can change its policies.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“Our Nation's antitrust laws were written over a century ago and were never designed to regulate NIL, transfer portals, billion-dollar media contracts, and the realities of modern college athletics. Yet, today, those laws are being applied in ways that have fueled constant litigation and uncertainty across college sports. There is nothing sacrosanct about antitrust law that makes it unassailable. It is not the 11th Commandment. It is not in the Constitution. And when the Supreme Court applied it to college sports, it drew a legal conclusion. It didn't cast a value judgment. In fact, it said just the opposite.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, for the past 3 years, I have worked hard to find a way to bring order to the chaos that is consuming the new era of college sports. I think it is helpful to understand why college sports are in this mess and why university administrators, athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes haven't been able to bring order to this chaos, and it starts with Federal law.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 5 minutes prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate22 September 2026Source ↗
“President, for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation I report favorably the following nomination list which was printed in the Record on the date indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that this nomination lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.”
Senate16 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:22 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. ____________________”
Senate15 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.”
Senate15 September 2026Source ↗
“This bill has the support of the NFL, of the NBA, of Major League Baseball, of the National Hockey League. It has the support of the NBA Players Association and the NFL Players Association. It has the enthusiastic support of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Today is a chance for us to stand up and fight for the half-million college athletes who are competing right now, because, if the Senate doesn't act, hundreds of thousands of those students will see their roster slots go away and their scholarships go away. Let's fight for the students to protect their rights, to protect their future. Let's come together and demonstrate that the Senate-- Republicans and Democrats working together--can lead and protect an institution that is unique and valuable. That is college sports in America. ____________________”
Senate15 September 2026Source ↗
“We found common ground, and now it is time to act. When this bill came before the Commerce Committee in June, I said we were in fourth down territory. Well, the ball is now on the Senate floor. There is no more time to punt. We can sit on the sidelines and watch college sports continue to unravel or we can step onto the field and lead. I urge my colleagues--Republicans and Democrats--to vote yes on the Protect College Sports Act. Listen to the 29 conferences that have endorsed this bill. Listen to the more than 370 universities that have endorsed this bill. Listen to the historically Black colleges and universities that are begging the Senate to pass this bill. Listen to the United Negro College Fund that has endorsed this bill. Listen to the Thurgood Marshall scholarship fund that has endorsed this bill.”
Senate15 September 2026Source ↗
“They are the swimmers and the wrestlers and the gymnasts and the rowers and the volleyball players and the track athletes and the thousands of other student athletes whose opportunities depend upon a healthy college athletic system. They are the high school athletes hoping to get that scholarship that will give them the opportunity to earn a college degree. And they are the fans who want their kids and grandkids to inherit the rivalries they grew up loving. This legislation isn't perfect. No bipartisan legislation is. Senator Cantwell and I both compromised to get here. But Senator Cantwell and I, along with many other Senators from both sides of the aisle, have spent months listening to student-athletes, to coaches, to universities, to conferences, to Olympic leaders, to professional sports organizations, and to fans.”
Senate15 September 2026Source ↗
“The bill doesn't turn back the clock. The NIL era is here, and student-athletes deserve the opportunity to benefit from their talent and hard work. But rights without rules produce chaos, and having rules means very little if every attempt to enforce them immediately ends up in court. That is the fundamental question before the Senate today: Do we want college sports to have clear national enforceable rules or do we want another decade of lawsuits, conflicting State laws, bidding wars, roster chaos, and uncertainty? The status quo is not working, and the people that will ultimately pay the price if Congress fails to act aren't the highly paid coaches or conference commissioners. They are the young men and women whose sports don't generate millions of dollars in television revenue.”
Senate15 September 2026Source ↗
“And fans are watching traditions and rivalries disappear--traditions and rivalries that have existed for generations. Doing nothing is not an option. The Protect College Sports Act is a bipartisan solution designed to bring order to that chaos. And let me be clear about what this bill does: It protects the rights of student-athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness. It establishes clear, enforceable rules governing eligibility and transfers. It provides important protections for athletes, and it protects scholarships. It protects women's sports and Olympic sports from being sacrificed in an unchecked spending arms race. It protects rivalries and traditions that make college sports unlike anything else in the world. And it gives the limited legal certainty needed to actually enforce the rules.”
Senate15 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, today, the Senate has an opportunity to do something that doesn't happen nearly enough in Washington. Republicans and Democrats can come together, solve a real problem, and protect an American institution that millions of people love. College sports today are in crisis. For years, court decisions, litigation, conflicting State laws, unlimited transfers, eligibility issues, and inconsistent enforcement have chipped away at the foundation of college athletics. The result is what we are seeing right now: the Wild West. The rules change from State to State, court to court, and season to season. Athletes don't know what rules will govern them, coaches don't know what rosters will look like from one year to the next, and schools don't know what rules they can legally enforce.”
Senate15 September 2026Source ↗