Kamlager-Dove, Huizenga, Meeks, and McCaul Lead Congressional Effort to Boost Sports Diplomacy Ahead of the American Decade of Sports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia with legislative jurisdiction over the public diplomacy division at the State Department, led the introduction of the bipartisan American Decade of Sports Act alongside Reps. Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), and Michael McCaul (TX-10). 

Over the next 10 years, the United States will be the center of the sporting world as the host of several major international competitions: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. These games present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance U.S. soft power and global leadership on the world stage. 

The State Department is currently structured to implement sports diplomacy exchange programs but does not have the strategic plan or staffing needed to focus on the mega-decade of sports. To ensure the U.S. is maximizing the diplomatic opportunity of hosting these competitions, this bill would upgrade the State Department’s sports diplomacy division to its own office and designate it with the responsibility and personnel to implement U.S. sports diplomacy efforts focused on the American decade of sports.

“As a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible power of sports to break down cultural barriers and unite people around the world,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “The American Decade of Sports is our chance to deepen relationships across the globe and cement U.S. leadership-–and we can’t let it slip through our fingers. I’m proud to lead the introduction of this bipartisan legislation to ensure that the State Department is equipped to leverage sports diplomacy as a vital U.S. foreign policy tool and capitalize on this defining moment.”

“From the Ryder Cup to the FIFA World Cup and the upcoming Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the United States is set to host some of the most highly viewed, attended, and anticipated international sporting events in the next ten years,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga, Chairman of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia. “The American Decade of Sports Act ensures that President Trump is able to carry out his revitalization of American sports and that the State Department is readily equipped to implement this newfound focus in terms of strategic planning and staffing. I am proud to champion this bipartisan effort.”

“Hosting major international sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics presents a unique opportunity for the United States to showcase to the world all that we have to offer, from America’s beautiful cities and landmarks to its vibrant culture and commerce,” said Congressman Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “This is a time for engagement, not isolation—but the Trump administration’s gutting of State Department personnel and resources only makes that job harder. Congress must not allow this administration to fumble America’s decade of sports—so I’m proud to be joining bipartisan colleagues in introducing legislation to leverage these sporting events and boost our global leadership.”

"Over the next 10 years, the U.S. will host several high-profile sporting events that provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate American strength and excellence on the world stage,” said Congressman McCaul. “The American Decade of Sports Act will leverage these events to advance American values and national security goals. As a longtime champion of cultural diplomacy, I’m proud to support this bill to harness the power of sports to bring people together and promote American leadership worldwide.”

Specifically, the American Decade of Sports Act:

• Directs the State Department to submit a sports diplomacy strategy to leverage the major sporting events being hosted in the United States to enhance U.S. soft power and global leadership;
• Pulls the Sports Diplomacy Division out of the Office of Citizen Exchanges and elevates it to its own Office of Sports Diplomacy;
• Designates the Office of Sports Diplomacy with the responsibility of implementing the mega-decade sports diplomacy strategy;
• Assigns no less than three additional staff to the office to implement the strategy; and
• Requires an annual report to Congress on the implementation of the mega-decade sports diplomacy strategy, the restructuring of the sports diplomacy office, and the designation of additional staff to carry out the strategy.

The American Decade of Sports Act is cosponsored by Reps. Bill Huizenga, Gregory Meeks, Michael McCaul, James Moylan, Maria Elvira Salazar, Michael Lawler, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Ted Lieu, Dina Titus, Gabe Amo, Kathy Castor, Sarah McBride, Jonathan L. Jackson, Nikema Williams, Hank Johnson, Don Bacon, Michael Baumgartner, Aumua Amata Radewagen, Buddy Carter, Young Kim, Rich McCormick, William R. Keating, and Greg Stanton.

Bill text of the American Decade of Sports Act is here.

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