Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri said on Friday, July 17, 2026, that the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act of 2026 likely has sufficient backing to advance in the U.S. Senate. Speaking during a panel discussion hosted by the Associated Press Sports Editors, Schmitt said supporters of the bill have secured the 60 votes typically required to overcome a filibuster and clear key procedural hurdles in the upper chamber of Congress. He characterized the support as broad and bipartisan, emphasizing that the vote count would allow the measure to move forward under current Senate rules governing debate and cloture. Schmitt described the bill as federal legislation focused on regulating aspects of college athletics, positioning it as an effort to bring national standards to an area that has increasingly drawn attention from lawmakers, sports organizations and university administrators. While he did not detail specific provisions during his public remarks at the event, his comments underscored that the measure is intended to address college sports at the federal level rather than relying solely on a patchwork of state or institutional policies. The senator’s announcement signals that the Protect College Sports Act of 2026 is poised to become a central topic in upcoming Senate deliberations on college athletics.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.