Senate panel backs college-athlete pay rules amid gridlock—Cantwell is the Washington senator pushing, Democrat since 2001, former WA House member.
The Senate Commerce Committee has held a hearing on a bipartisan bill to regulate athlete pay, cap transfers, and impose a Lane Kiffin Rule on midseason coaching departures, with supporters arguing it could restore competitive balance in college sports; critics from the SEC and Big Ten say key issues remain unresolved.