President Donald Trump renewed his call for Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act before the upcoming recess, emphasizing the urgency of the legislation. Speaking at a special celebration at the White House on Thursday night, Trump honored more than 120 athletes, coaches, staff, and representatives from Team USA for their achievements at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Trump highlighted the critical role of collegiate athletics, stating, "the collegiate athletic system is the engine of American Olympic dominance," noting it produced 88% of Team USA representatives at the Games. He urged both the House and Senate to come together, preferably on a bipartisan basis, to send the bill to his desk, promising to sign it immediately.

"We have to get that done. If we don’t, we’re very foolish. Nobody knows what will happen. We’re in Never-Never Land. We’re not going to let that be happening. We’re not going to let that happen to these great people and others," Trump said.

The Protect College Sports Act aims to provide the NCAA with greater antitrust legal protections and establish a uniform framework for college athletics, covering aspects such as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation and the transfer portal. While an amendment that could influence Republican support has yet to be announced, Trump expressed hope the bill would reach the Oval Office soon to protect college sports now and in the future.

At the event, Trump also celebrated the team's success at the Winter Games, where American athletes earned a total of 57 medals, including 25 gold.

Whether the Senate will approve the Protect College Sports Act remains uncertain, but Trump's remarks signal strong executive support for the legislation.

Sources