Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens athlete representation and U.S. leverage to reform WADA — improving fairness and anti-doping enforcement — but risks reduced cooperation, administrative delays, and potential costs if U.S. dues are withheld.
U.S. athletes will gain stronger protections and more meaningful representation in WADA decision-making, increasing athlete voice in anti-doping policies and procedural fairness.
International anti-doping enforcement may be strengthened because the bill pushes WADA to adopt conflict-of-interest rules and act against systemic doping, which can improve fairness and athlete safety in international sport.
Taxpayers and Congress gain stronger U.S. leverage and oversight tools (via ONDCP reporting and conditional withholding of dues) to press for governance reforms at WADA.
Athletes, USADA, and the U.S. Olympic Committee could lose influence and practical cooperation if withholding U.S. dues reduces U.S. access to WADA decision-making or hinders joint anti-doping operations.
ONDCP, Congress, and related agencies will face added administrative burdens and potential delays from required determinations, reporting, and review processes, which could slow U.S. participation in WADA initiatives.
Taxpayers could face indirect economic and reputational costs if withholding dues triggers diplomatic disputes, increases legal or diplomatic spending, or otherwise raises the costs of securing desired reforms.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Gives ONDCP authority to assess and push for WADA governance reforms, require reports and spending plans, and—if governance is inadequate—seek U.S. representation and may withhold U.S. WADA dues.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by John Moolenaar · Last progress January 23, 2025
Requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to evaluate World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) governance and to use available tools to push for credible, independent governance with meaningful athlete roles and fair U.S. representation. If ONDCP finds WADA governance inadequate, it must act to secure U.S. representation, may withhold U.S. WADA dues (after consulting Congress), produce reports explaining barriers, and provide a spending plan before obligating funds to WADA.