NCAA-Backed SCORE Act Stalls in House After Narrow Procedural Vote

An effort backed by the NCAA, the U.S. Olympic movement and the White House to create a federal framework for college athletics has hit a roadblock in the House, with growing GOP dissent and vocal opposition from unions, athletes and several state attorneys general.

Vote Delayed After Narrow Procedural Showdown

House Republican leaders had planned to bring the SCORE Act to a final vote this week, but those plans were abruptly shelved after a procedural motion to advance the bill nearly failed earlier in the week. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said leaders would "take our time" to build a coalition and answer members' questions.

"There were a few members that had some questions and wanted to know more about the bill," Scalise said. "So we’re just going to take our time with it to make sure we can get the coalition finalized."

Why Supporters Say It’s Needed

Supporters — including the NCAA and Division I conferences — argue the SCORE Act would codify elements of a multibillion-dollar settlement that opened the door for college athletes to receive pay, providing nationwide legal clarity for name, image and likeness (NIL) arrangements and other compensation issues. This week the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the White House publicly backed the measure, saying federal action is necessary to protect student-athletes and preserve collegiate athletic opportunities.

Opposition and Key Concerns

But the bill has drawn sharp criticism from labor groups, athletes and several state attorneys general. Critics argue the legislation would grant broad authority to the NCAA and the most powerful conferences by extending antitrust protections and including a provision that would bar classifying college athletes as employees — a change unions say would undercut organizing and bargaining rights.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called the measure "union-busting policy in action."

Republican critics also objected to language that would preempt state laws regulating payments to players. Florida GOP Rep. Byron Donalds, a vocal opponent, argued the NCAA created the current crisis and questioned why Congress should act to preserve the association's control when college sports are generating record revenues.

"I don’t think we should be doing anything to help the NCAA. They created this mess," Donalds said. "College sports is making more money than they ever have. But the control factor of the NCAA and other major conferences is not what it used to be."

Political Calculus and Next Steps

The immediate trouble began when a procedural vote to advance multiple measures was left open for more than an hour as Republicans debated proposed changes. Since then, dissent among GOP members has increased; some who initially supported the bill say they are now undecided. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said she was "initially for it" but is now weighing arguments against the bill and does not view it as a top priority.

With a packed end-of-year calendar — including the defense authorization bill and a potential fix for expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies — House action on the SCORE Act now appears likely to slip into next year.

What’s at Stake

The SCORE Act would shape how colleges, conferences and athletes negotiate compensation and other rights for years to come. Supporters say it brings needed stability after the rapid changes in NIL rules; opponents say it hands too much power to the NCAA and blocks state-level protections or labor efforts.

Associated Press national sports writer Eddie Pells contributed to this report.