VIDEO: Capito Helps Advance Protect College Sports Act of 2026

To watch Senator Capito's remarks, click here or on the above image.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, delivered remarks at a full Commerce Committee markup on the Protect College Sports Act of 2026. This legislation, introduced by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and supported by Senator Capito, will create necessary guardrails for the rapidly evolving landscape college athletics, ensure fair competition, and protect student athletes' rights.

Senator Capito offered an amendment, which was included in the legislation, that ensures that the distribution and broadcasting of non-revenue generating sports and their media rights are protected

Below are Senator Capito's remarks, as delivered:

"I particularly want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Ranking Member Senator Cantwell.

"As she knows very well, she and I led the way several years ago for the equal pay for equal play for Team USA for women's sports, and we've seen that flourish and really the value of our women's sports at that level cannot be understated.

"Back in the day, I was a division one athlete myself and I'm the mother of a division one athlete.

"Women's sports are extremely important to me, and I appreciate both of you accepting my Capito one amendment, which I think will help us to preserve the current level and status of non-revenue generating sports, particularly women and athletic sports."

"I also want to thank the universities and colleges in West Virginia, the ADs, the coaches, the conference leaders that have come in and out of all of our offices."

"It's important for us to realize what this does for a small state, such as mine, where our major college, our university teams are our only teams.

"It really is the lifeblood. I'll point out West Virginia was just in the college world series and got all the way to the top four.

"The entire state was electric. So, it has more than just an impact across our state and across the nation. You all realize this and have worked really hard to reach the compromise. Thank you so much, and let's keep pushing."

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