Moran, Gardner bill to create new Olympic, Paralympic commission passes Senate committee

The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Nov. 13 approved bipartisan legislation offered by U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) to establish a Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics that helps restore integrity and prevent governance failures within the U.S. Olympic movement.

The Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019, S. 2330, was sponsored in July by U.S. Sen. Moran and 14 cosponsors, including Sen. Gardner and U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Susan Collins (R-ME), and lead original cosponsor Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

Sens. Moran and Blumenthal, who authored the bill, introduced the sweeping reform proposal following an 18-month investigation into systemic abuse within the U.S. Olympic movement.

“The Commerce Committee moved us one step closer to passage of our sweeping reform legislation,” Sens. Moran and Blumenthal said in a joint statement. “We are grateful to our colleagues who provided support and input in the lead-up to today’s vote, helping us create an even stronger version of this legislation.”

Sen. Gardner introduced legislation to establish the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics in January, which was included in the bill approved by the committee. He said the “commonsense bill would create a 16-member commission, half of whom would be Olympians or Paralympians, to examine what’s working and what’s not and report back to Congress.”

If enacted, S. 2330 would require that the other half of the members of the commission have experience in athletics, advocacy or coaching. The entire commission would study the structure of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and determine whether its board includes diverse membership, and proper licensing and funding arrangements, among other duties, according to a bill summary.

“In Colorado we are proud of our Olympic City, Colorado Springs, and all that our Olympic athletes mean to our great state. But we know that we can do better,” said Sen. Gardner. “This will help the U.S. Olympic Committee’s presence in Colorado grow even stronger and make sure we do a better job looking out for the futures of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes.”

Additionally, S. 2330 would require the commission to submit a final report to Congress with its findings, recommendations and any suggested policy changes.

“We could not have reached this moment without the community of survivors — athletes who traveled to Washington countless times, shared their stories, and demanded change,” said Sens. Moran and Blumenthal. “We told these survivors that while powerful institutions had failed them in the past, we weren’t going to. We intend to keep that promise, and look forward to moving ahead with this legislation on the Senate floor.”