A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 502.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "American Decade of Sports Act," aims to leverage major international sporting events hosted in the United States between 2024 and 2034 to enhance soft power and diplomatic relationships. It requires the Secretary of State to develop and submit two separate 5-year sports diplomacy strategies to appropriate congressional committees. A new Office of Sports Diplomacy will be established within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to manage these programs. The strategy involves partnering with various stakeholders, including host cities, athletes, and the sports industry. Additionally, the bill mandates an efficient visa process for those traveling for these events.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +6
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill seeks to leverage sports to enhance diplomatic relationships and global leadership.
- Scored +5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill mandates an efficient and expeditious visa process for athletes and international visitors.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill encourages collaboration with the sports industry and international trade offices to deepen commercial ties.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Travel Experience: The bill calls for a plan to ensure an "expeditious and secure visa process" and aims to reduce visa appointment wait times for athletes, their families, support staff, and eligible international visitors (Section 3(b)(4)).
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Economic and Cultural Engagement: The Office of Sports Diplomacy is tasked with working with host cities' international trade and tourism offices to deepen economic and commercial ties (Section 4(b)(5)).
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Community and Cultural Connections: The strategy includes plans to engage local diaspora communities to deepen people-to-people connections (Section 4(b)(3)) and use domestic public diplomacy resources to help foreign visitors engage with American culture and values (Section 3(b)(6)).
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Support for Creative Industries: The bill aims to elevate American arts, film, and music creators to promote cultural exchange and connection with foreign visitors (Section 4(b)(6)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Resource Requirements: The Secretary of State must provide a description of the "financial and personnel support needed" to implement the 5-year sports diplomacy strategy (Section 3(b)(5)).
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Staffing Changes: The Secretary of State is required to assign "not fewer than 3 additional full-time equivalent staff" dedicated exclusively to implementing the strategy (Section 4(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill mandates an efficient and expeditious visa process for athletes and international visitors. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill encourages collaboration with the sports industry and international trade offices to deepen commercial ties.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill seeks to leverage sports to enhance diplomatic relationships and global leadership.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill promotes commercial diplomacy and economic ties through host cities and the sports industry.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires strategies and progress reports to be made available to congressional committees and the public.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill aims to deepen economic and commercial ties which may assist local communities.
- 7/27/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 502.
- 6/17/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 1/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana