The U.S. Senate ended its week in session on Thursday without putting the Protect College Sports Act up for a vote. The move leaves the legislation in limbo and narrows the timeline significantly, with lawmakers scheduled to have only one more week in session before a monthlong recess.
The bill’s pause appears tied to the Senate waiting for word from the Big Ten and SEC, two of the most influential conferences in college athletics. Without that added clarity, the chamber did not move forward before adjourning for the week.
The delay is notable because college sports leaders have been pushing Washington for years to create a federal framework for an increasingly complicated system. The NCAA and conferences previously went to Capitol Hill seeking national legislation to address the fast-changing landscape around college athletics.
For now, the Protect College Sports Act remains on hold as the calendar tightens. With recess approaching and no vote scheduled, the next week in session could be important for determining whether the measure advances soon or faces a longer wait.
