S. 5392 – TEAM USA Act

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Updated September 19, 2026 at 1:51 AM UTC

The TEAM USA Act would change the Higher Education Act so that any college or university that receives federal Title IV aid must limit the share of international student‑athletes on each varsity team. No more than 20 % of a team’s roster may be international athletes, and teams with fewer than ten members may have only one international player. Schools would have to report these percentages each year, and the rule would begin in the 2029‑30 academic year.

Key Provisions

Adds a new requirement that each varsity sports team have no more than 20 % international student‑athletes, or a maximum of one if the team has fewer than ten members.
Defines “international student‑athlete” as a non‑U.S. national or non‑permanent resident, or someone receiving athletic financial support from a foreign Olympic/Paralympic committee.
Mandates annual reporting of the percentage of international athletes on each team to the U.S. Secretary of Education and the relevant athletic association.
Applies to all institutions that participate in Title IV federal financial assistance, effective July 1 2029 for the 2029‑30 academic year onward.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

September 14, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

September 14, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

September 14, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued September 14, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5392

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 14, 2026

Mr. Husted introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education, as a condition of participating in programs under title IV of such Act, to ensure that not more than 20 percent of the student athletes on a varsity sports team of the institution are international students, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Training and Education for American Members in University Sports and Athletics Act or the TEAM USA Act.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings:

(1)

Institutions of higher education receive and benefit from Federal financial assistance primarily to provide educational opportunities for American students.

(2)

Participation in intercollegiate athletics provides significant educational, financial, leadership, and career opportunities for student athletes.

(3)

Increasing recruitment of international student athletes has reduced roster and scholarship opportunities for American student athletes at institutions receiving Federal financial assistance.

(4)

This reduction has limited opportunities for American students to obtain athletic financial aid and the educational benefits associated with intercollegiate athletics.

(5)

Intercollegiate athletics has historically served as an important development pathway for athletes representing the United States in Olympic and international competition, yet many National Collegiate Athletic Association-affiliated student athletes compete for nations other than the United States.

(6)

Preserving the substantial majority of intercollegiate athletic opportunities for American student athletes while continuing to permit meaningful participation by international student athletes advances the educational purposes of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

3.

Limitation on international student athlete participation in varsity sports

(a)

In general

Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(30)

(A)

The institution will, with respect to each varsity sports team of the institution—

(i)

ensure that not more than 20 percent of the student athletes on the official roster of such varsity sports team are international student athletes, or, in the case of such a varsity sports team with fewer than 10 student athletes, no more than 1 international student athlete is on such roster; and

(ii)

annually report the percentage of student athletes that are international student athletes on the official roster of such team to the Secretary and the applicable athletic association.

(B)

For purposes of this paragraph:

(i)

The term athletic association means any entity that—

(I)

sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration and regulation of varsity sports teams or intercollegiate athletic competitions;

(II)

is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences located in more than 1 State; and

(III)

does not include any entity affiliated with professional athletic competitions.

(ii)

The term intercollegiate athletic competition means any contest, game, meet, match, tournament, regatta, or other event in which varsity sports teams of more than 1 institution compete.

(iii)

The term international student athlete means a student enrolled at an institution who is on a varsity sports team of the institution and who—

(I)

is not a United States national or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residency (as such terms are defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))); or

(II)

is receiving, or has received, a salary, scholarship, or other form of financial assistance related to the student’s athletic participation from an Olympic or Paralympic committee of a foreign country.

(iv)

The term varsity sports team means an entity composed of an individual or group of individuals enrolled at an institution that is organized by such institution for the purpose of participation in intercollegiate athletic competitions.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2029, and shall apply with respect to academic year 2029–2030 and each succeeding academic year.