President Donald Trump has once again urged Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act, emphasizing the urgency as the congressional recess approaches.

On Thursday night, Trump hosted over 120 athletes, coaches, staff, and representatives from Team USA at the White House to celebrate their achievements at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the event, held in the East Room of the White House, Trump highlighted that the collegiate athletic system is "the engine of American Olympic dominance," producing 88% of the Team USA representatives in those Games alone.

Trump called on both the House and Senate to come together, ideally in a bipartisan manner, to pass the bill and send it to his desk, where he promised 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," he said.

The Protect College Sports Act is a bipartisan bill supported by NCAA officials that aims to provide the collegiate governing body with greater antitrust legal protections. It also seeks to establish a uniform framework for college athletics concerning Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation, the transfer portal, and other key issues.

While details about potential amendments remain uncertain and could influence Republican support, Trump expressed hope that the bill would reach the Oval Office soon, ensuring the protection of college sports now and in the future.

At the reception, Trump also honored Team USA's medal achievements at the Winter Games, where American athletes earned a total of 57 medals, including 25 gold.

Whether the Senate will act on the Protect College Sports Act remains to be seen, but Trump's remarks serve as a clear push for swift legislative action.

Sources