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GOP Pushes Protect College Sports Act with $27.5M Funding

8/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Senate Republicans are trying to secure a vote on the Protect College Sports Act before the August recess.
Sen. Jerry Moran said the bill is the “chokepoint” for passing the funding deal and confirming Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell secured SEC and Big Ten backing by adding a $27.5 million pool, including $22.5 million for athlete retention and up to $5 million for women’s and Olympic sports.

History

Historical Context

Signed by President Richard Nixon on June 23 1972, the Education Amendments introduced Title IX, banning sex discrimination in federally funded schools and expanding the Equal Pay Act. The Department of Education recorded women athletes rising from about 30,000 to 150,000 by 1980, a 400 percent jump. Senators Moran, Cruz and Cantwell now tie $27.5 million to the Protect College Sports Act, extending Title IX’s equity push.

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Story summary

Senate Republicans are trying to secure a vote on the Protect College Sports Act before the August recess.
Sen. Jerry Moran said the bill is the “chokepoint” for passing the funding deal and confirming Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell secured SEC and Big Ten backing by adding a $27.5 million pool, including $22.5 million for athlete retention and up to $5 million for women’s and Olympic sports.

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