Ernst’s SAFESPORT Act passes Senate committee as part of larger athletes protection bill

A GOP-led bill introduced last week by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) to ensure the improved oversight of resources targeted to investigating abuses of Olympic and amateur athletes received U.S. Senate committee approval as part of a larger bill.

“Our bill will increase oversight and accountability, begin necessary steps to prevent all forms of abuse, and will help in moving us down the long road to rebuilding trust within our country’s Olympic community,” Sen. Ernst said.

On Nov. 12, Sen. Ernst unveiled the Stopping Abuse From Entering Sports, Promoting Oversight, Responsibility and Transparency (SAFESPORT) Act, S. 2838, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and four Republican cosponsors, including U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), to improve the transparency of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, to provide grant accountability, and to protect victims of abuse from retaliation.

S. 2838 was included as an amendment to the bipartisan Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019, S. 2330, introduced in July by U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), which received approval on Nov. 13 by the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

“Like so many Americans, I remain appalled by the crimes committed by Larry Nassar, the USA gymnastics doctor who abused hundreds of young athletes,” said Sen. Ernst. “The U.S. Olympic Committee has shown a willingness to make necessary reforms to prevent these abuses in the future and this legislation supports that effort.”

If enacted, the larger measure, S. 2330, would provide for congressional oversight of the board of directors of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to protect amateur athletes from emotional, physical and sexual abuse, according to the bill’s text.

The measure now advances to the full Senate for action.