Senate Delays College Sports Bill Vote Until Sept. 14 as Support Slips Near 60-Vote Threshold
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 8
Senate Delays College Sports Bill Vote Until Sept. 14 as Support Slips Near 60-Vote Threshold
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 8
Summary
A five-week Senate recess pushed any vote on the Protect College Sports Act to September, after leaders ran out of floor time and adjourned without taking up the measure.
Government funding, Russia sanctions, budget legislation and nominations took precedence, while the bill also drew fresh resistance from the Congressional Black Caucus, labor unions and more than a dozen Republican senators seeking objections or amendments.
The whip count had drifted dangerously close to the 60 votes needed to beat a filibuster, even though backers had hoped for 66 and Ted Cruz had predicted support could reach 80.
Two flashpoints were the bill's 5-year conference-movement probation and culture-war concerns over state bans on transgender athletes in women's sports, prompting amendments from senators including Tommy Tuberville and Ashley Moody.
Even if the 171-page bill clears the Senate in September, it still faces a difficult House path, possible further revisions and a shrinking election-year calendar before another October recess.