Senate Republicans’ efforts to leave Washington for the August recess were being complicated by negotiations over a bipartisan college sports bill regulating name, image and likeness payments to student-athletes. The measure’s progress mattered because it was one of several outstanding items leaders hoped to resolve before senators departed, alongside government funding and nominations.

The Protect College Sports Act sought national rules for NIL deals, athlete protections and aspects of college sports’ media rights and competition. It needed 60 Senate votes to overcome procedural hurdles, while last-minute negotiations involved the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference; proposals included a $21.3 million revenue-sharing cap and additional funding for retaining players.