Shaheen Adds $2.5 Million to Government Funding Bill to Help Prevent Abuse and Misconduct Against Young US Athletes

**Shaheen has called on Congress to establish a special committee to investigate the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and sports governing bodies regarding horrific abuse of young U.S. athletes**

(Washington, DC)— U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after securing $2.5 million for a grant program designed to protect young athletes from abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, in sports. Funding can be used for developing and testing new training materials, abuse prevention and identification education in youth athletic programs.

“As Team USA athletes and sexual abuse survivors continue to come forward and courageously share their stories, it is imperative that Congress listens and takes action. That’s why I fought to secure federal support for the agency tasked with responding to US athletes’ abuse allegations, and why I’ll continue to stand up for our athletes to demand institutional accountability at the U.S. Olympic Committee,” said Shaheen. “It is critical to protect the health and safety of our athletes as they seek accountability for mistreatment. I’m heartened by the bipartisan approval for this funding and I’ll continue to work across the aisle to protect American athletes and deliver justice for survivors.”

Shaheen has led bipartisan efforts in Congress to establish a special committee to investigate the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics regarding how ex-team doctor Larry Nassar was allowed to sexually abuse gymnasts for decades.