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119-s-233119th Congress

Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

In Committee

Summary

U.S. oversight of WADA governance would be expanded and formalized to push for independent, representative decision making and give the United States tools to demand reforms. The bill would set annual governance tests, require reports to Congress, and permit withholding of dues when WADA fails those tests.

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  • Athletes: Redefines "independent athlete" to exclude anyone who serves on the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, a recognized international sports federation, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, a national governing body, or the World Anti-Doping Agency.
  • U.S. sports bodies: Updates statute language to use the "United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee" and aligns the U.S. governance context with that name.
  • Oversight duties: The Office of National Drug Control Policy would make a mandatory annual determination, consulting the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and the Athletes’ Advisory Council about whether WADA has credible, independent governance and fair selection processes for independent athletes.
  • Enforcement and funding leverage: If WADA fails the bill's governance criteria, the Office of National Drug Control Policy must use all available tools to seek compliance and could withhold up to the full amount of U.S. membership dues.
  • Congressional reporting and approvals: The bill would require a report to Congress describing barriers to U.S. participation and a spending plan at least 30 days before obligating funds, and it specifies four congressional committees that must receive notifications: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senate Appropriations; House Energy and Commerce; and House Appropriations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More U.S. oversight of WADA

If enacted, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) would review whether the World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA) has credible, independent governance. The first review would be due within 180 days of enactment and then every year. If ONDCP finds WADA did not meet the bill's tests, ONDCP would be required to use all available tools to press for fixes and could voluntarily withhold up to the full amount of U.S. membership dues; funds withheld and not obligated by fiscal year‑end would be returned to the Treasury general fund. ONDCP would also have to report to the named congressional committees within 180 days of a finding and send a spending plan at least 30 days before obligating funds for WADA. The named committees are the Senate Commerce Committee, Senate Appropriations Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee, and House Appropriations Committee.

Tighter definition of independent athlete

If enacted, the bill would define an "independent athlete" as a current or former amateur athlete who does not serve in any capacity on the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, a recognized international sports federation, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, a national governing body, or the World Anti‑Doping Agency. This change would apply on enactment and would narrow who may be selected as independent athlete representatives for WADA decision‑making roles.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

TN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 6/12/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 6/12/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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