Discussion · Senate
John Barrasso Republican
“College sports are falling apart because courts, not clear rules, decide how they are run. We need to pass our college sports bill to fix this. Other senators are working on a deal to vote on several changes to the bill, including this one. We need to give them more time to finish that deal, so I object to moving forward right now.”
“Mr. President, reserving the right to object. College sports are one of the last great institutions in America that still bring people together. Today, all across our country, fans see the institution falling apart. Rosters are being rebuilt every year through an unrestricted transfer market. Schools are locked in an arms race of ever-increasing NIL spending. Coaches spend as much time recruiting their own players as they are preparing for opponents. Eligibility rules are no longer determined by clear standards but by lawsuits, by court orders, and by last-minute injunctions. It is why the Senate has now overwhelmingly voted three times to advance the bill called the Protect College Sports Act. We will finish that bill this week and send it to the House and then, hopefully, on to the President for his signature. Senator Paul has identified one of the critical problems. The antitrust laws applied to the collegiate sports system are currently the reason why sports are governed by court order rather than by fair, enforceable rules for all. The Protect College Sports Act provides the NCAA with the ability to govern, but any antitrust protection is narrow, and it comes with guardrails. My understanding is that Senator Cruz and Senator Cantwell are discussing a package of possible amendment votes, and this is one of them. Let’s give them the opportunity to work through the process and see if we can get votes on Senator Paul’s amendment as well as other amendments. And as they work on it, let’s give them a little bit more time for that reason. And for that reason, Mr. President, I object.”
Mr. President, reserving the right to object. College sports are one of the last great institutions in America that still bring people together. Today, all across our country, fans see the institution falling apart. Rosters are being rebuilt every year through an unrestricted transfer market. Schools are locked in an arms race of ever-increasing NIL spending. Coaches spend as much time recruiting their own players as they are preparing for opponents. Eligibility rules are no longer determined by clear standards but by lawsuits, by court orders, and by last-minute injunctions. It is why the Senate has now overwhelmingly voted three times to advance the bill called the Protect College Sports Act. We will finish that bill this week and send it to the House and then, hopefully, on to the President for his signature. Senator Paul has identified one of the critical problems. The antitrust laws applied to the collegiate sports system are currently the reason why sports are governed by court order rather than by fair, enforceable rules for all. The Protect College Sports Act provides the NCAA with the ability to govern, but any antitrust protection is narrow, and it comes with guardrails. My understanding is that Senator Cruz and Senator Cantwell are discussing a package of possible amendment votes, and this is one of them. Let’s give them the opportunity to work through the process and see if we can get votes on Senator Paul’s amendment as well as other amendments. And as they work on it, let’s give them a little bit more time for that reason. And for that reason, Mr. President, I object.