WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, with jurisdiction over amateur athletes – today gave opening remarks at his hearing titled “Name, Image, and Likeness: The State of Intercollegiate Athlete Compensation.” This hearing examined how student-athletes are currently restricted from profiting from their name, image, or likeness to supplement current scholarship and benefits they receive.

“Understanding how state and federal laws and regulations on name, image, and likeness of student athletes would affect the existing intercollegiate athletic system is critical in shaping Congress’ efforts on this issue,” said Chairman Moran. “Some of complexities surrounding this issue include the use of third party agents, the possible elimination of athletic programs, current definitions of amateurism, and allowable incentives made available to today’s college athletes. As we will hear today, college athletics teaches young men and women many values and skills that serve them throughout their life, but the most important aspect is that they are first, a student-athlete.”

Click Here to Watch Chairman Moran’s Full Remarks

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Good morning. As the chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, with jurisdiction over amateur athletics, I welcome you all to today’s hearing titled ‘Name, Image, and Likeness: The State of Intercollegiate Athlete Compensation.’ The Subcommittee will come to order.

“I look forward to hearing from our witnesses, including the Chancellor from my alma mater, the University of Kansas, the president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the commissioner of the Big 12, and two former student-athletes.

“In Kansas, we have a rich history of college athletics. The University of Kansas won 14 straight Big 12 men’s basketball titles and the women’s soccer team just won their first Big 12 title last year. In my hometown of Manhattan, Bill Snyder revolutionized college football at Kansas State University – a legacy that has been continued by current coach Chris Klieman and Athletic Director Gene Taylor. And who can forget Wichita State’s Cinderella run in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2013. In addition, Kansas City was the national headquarters for the NCAA for 45 years before they moved to Indianapolis. 

“While Division I schools often come to mind, we must not lose sight of the over one thousand colleges and universities across all three divisions included in NCAA.

“In Kansas, we have impressive Division II athletics at Fort Hays State, Pitt State – who won four D2 Titles (most recently in 2011) – Emporia State, Newman, and Washburn.

“Altogether, there are nearly 500,000 student-athletes that compete in 24 different sports. The NCAA’s considerable financial restrictions tied to amateur athlete eligibility has gained national media attention and heated debates in recent years. Specifically, how student-athletes are currently restricted from profiting from their name, image, or likeness to supplement the current scholarships and related benefits they receive.

“These debates have resulted in state legislatures taking their own actions. In California, the Fair Pay to Play Act was signed into law last September and will prohibit California universities and colleges from preventing their student athletes from gaining compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness from third parties. Coming into effect in 2023, the law will also allow student athletes in California to hire agents and other representation. 

“Following suit, legislation has been introduced in over 20 other states, with more expected to follow, raising concerns of the ability of a nationwide organization to function within a system of differing state laws and provisions.

“Last May, the NCAA began to take steps to address the debate around student athletes potentially profiting from their name, image and likeness by appointing a working group to examine potential modifications that still allow a clear demarcation between professional and amateur athletes and ensure they are still aligned with the general student body. The working group is expected to issue recommendations later this year with new rules scheduled to be implemented in 2021.

“Understanding how state and federal laws and regulations on name, image, and likeness of student athletes would affect the existing intercollegiate athletic system is critical in shaping Congress’ efforts on this issue. Some of complexities surrounding this issue include the use of third party agents, the possible elimination of athletic programs, current definitions of amateurism, and allowable incentives made available to today’s college athletes.

“As we will hear today, college athletics teaches young men and women many values and skills that serve them throughout their life, but the most important aspect is that they are first, a student-athlete. NCAA student-athletes have a considerably higher graduation rate than non-athletes, which is significant, because less than 2 percent of student-athletes go on to be professional athletes. 

“It is important that actions taken by Congress do not harm the education, health, and well-being of student-athletes.

“Joining us today to provide a variety of different perspectives on this issue is:

• Mr. Bob Bowlsby, Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference;
• Dr. Mark Emmert, President of the National Collegiate Athletic Association;
• Dr. Douglas Girod, Chancellor of the University of Kansas;
• Mr. Ramogi Huma, Executive Director of the National College Players Association and former UCLA football student athlete; and
• Mr. Kendall Spencer, Former Chair of the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and former University of New Mexico track student athlete.

“We are also honored to be joined by former Ohio State University football student athlete and the U.S. Congressman representing the 16^th District of Ohio Anthony Gonzalez.  The Congressman’s background and active advocacy on this issue is highly valued by this Subcommittee, and I thank him for his willingness to prepare and present his opening statement.

“With that, I will turn to the Ranking Member, Senator Blumenthal, for his opening statement.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – today issued the following statement after President Trump released his Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget request for FY2021:

“Our veterans deserve the best care this country can offer, and President Trump’s budget proposal for FY2021 supports the ongoing implementation of community care under the MISSION Act, reducing veteran suicide and transforming the VA’s system to provide veterans with the right benefits at the right time.

“As Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I look forward to learning more about the budget request and working with Secretary Wilkie to identify how veterans’ outcomes will be improved under the new investments in VA programs.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement at the conclusion of the Senate Impeachment Trial:

“When I took the oath at the beginning of this trial, I vowed to deliver impartial justice according to the Constitution and the law. I took this oath and responsibility seriously and chose not to comment until I heard arguments from both the House managers and President Trump’s lawyers. After hearing from both sides and asking multiple questions, I voted no on conviction and removal of the president.

“First, in order to avoid a system of government where the president serves at the political pleasure of Congress, the Framers intended impeachment and removal to be reserved for extreme and rare situations. The alleged facts contained in the articles and presented by the impeachment managers do not rise to this level.

“Second, the House failed in its prosecutorial role by not presenting specific statutory charges against the president. Our Constitution demands of the justice system that prosecutors bring specific charges and prove each element of those charges beyond a reasonable doubt. In this case, neither of the articles passed by the House contain statutory allegations to which the Senate could determine whether the elements for conviction were met. On the floor, the House managers argued that the statutory crime of bribery was contained in the first Article of Impeachment related to abuse of power. In addition to the fact that there is no evidence in the record that satisfies the statutory elements of bribery, the Senate cannot substitute its own charges or charges made by House managers on the floor for those contained within the four corners of the House-passed Articles of Impeachment.

“Third, the House failed to meet its evidentiary burden and attempted to shift that burden to the Senate. Unwilling to give the judicial system the time to answer important questions of privilege in regards to specific witnesses that the House managers claimed were key to the case, the House moved forward with impeachment. The House managers argued at the beginning of the trial that they had overwhelming evidence supporting impeachment. It was surprising then that the House managers attempted to burden the Senate with issuing subpoenas and taking testimony from those witnesses that the House failed to pursue. Regardless, additional evidence or witnesses would not change the material underlying facts describing the president’s actions. These actions are not ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ as described by the Constitution, and therefore, I voted no on conviction and removal of the president.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) – chairman and ranking member of the Commerce Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the health and safety of amateur athletes – introduced legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

In 2001, Congress recognized the USADA as the official anti-doping agency for the Olympics, Paralympics, Pan American and Parapan Games to help combat the use of performance-enhancing drugs and create a fair and level playing field for our athletes. USADA is a non-profit organization that is partially funded through the Office of National Drug Control Policy and is responsible for administering testing, processing results, providing drug reference resources, athlete education and conducting research.

“Since its inception, USADA has modeled integrity and fair competition for the international athletic community and anti-doping agencies around the world,” said Sen. Moran.  “By consistently ensuring that American athletes compete in a fair and clean manner, USADA strengthens the integrity of athletics and makes clear to other nations that we will not accept anything short of true sport. This legislation would ensure that USADA has the necessary tools and resources ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.”

“Anti-doping efforts are essential in leveling the playing field for all athletes and helping preserve the integrity of competitive sports,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “As the United States prepares to host the world at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, this legislation ensures that our nation’s anti-doping agency has the resources it needs to promote fair and healthy competition among athletes. USADA’s efforts set an especially important foundation for our young athletes, teaching them about the dangers of using performance-enhancing drugs and encouraging clean sporting early on in their careers.”

"USADA applauds Senators Moran and Blumenthal for introducing legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency,” said Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA. “For nearly 20 years, we have made great strides on behalf of clean athletes. With the resources and the strong support of Congress, we will continue to be a global leader in the fight for the integrity of sport and the protection of clean athletes. By passing this legislation, the U.S. sends a strong signal of its commitment to clean sport to athletes worldwide preparing for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo."