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≡ U.S. vs. WADA continues ≡
The Associated Press reported that U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) and three co-sponsors have re-introduced a bill to give the Office of National Drug Control Policy an option to withhold annual dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency.
This bill was introduced in the 118th Congress as S. 4839, but went nowhere as Democrats controlled the chamber. Now, with Republican control of the 119th Congress (2025-26), the bill could move forward.
As introduced last session, it includes two primary features:
● Tasked the ONDCP with a 90-day review to determine whether WADA:
“(i) has a credible and independent governance model that provides for fair representation of the United States;
“(ii) fully implements all governance reforms, including a proper conflict-of-interest policy … and
“(iii) allows independent athletes from the United States and other democratic countries, or representatives of such athletes, to have decision-making roles on the Executive Committee and the Foundation Board, and in all relevant expert advisory groups, standing committees, permanent special committees, and working groups, of the World Anti-Doping Agency.”
● If the report shows WADA is deficient, authority to not pay the U.S.’s annual dues to WADA, which were $3.625 million in 2024:
“In the case of a determination under paragraph (2)(A) that the World Anti-Doping Agency does not have a governance model that provides for fair representation of the United States, has not fully implemented governance reforms, or has not allowed decision-making roles described in clause (iii) of that subparagraph, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress, may voluntarily withhold up to the full amount of membership dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency.”
WADA is funded, more or less half and half by the International Olympic Committee (50%) and government dues from signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code. A dues formula was worked out in 2003 which broke the public-authority dues contributions among five continental groups:
● Africa: 0.50%
● Americas: 29.00%
● Asia: 20.46%
● Europe: 47.50%
● Oceania: 2.54%
Within each continental group, the dues responsibility is divided; for 2025, the U.S. dues are $3,842,482. That amount is:
● 50.00% of the Americas’ share of $7,684,963;
● 14.50% of the public-authority total of $26,499,874;
● 7.25% of WADA’s total 2025 budget of $52,999,748.
Canada is the next-highest payer at $1,921,241, and then Japan at $1,502,800. France, Germany, Great Britain and Russia all are slated to pay $1,408,094.
Blackburn’s bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), and Representatives John Moolenar (R-Michigan) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois).
The 2024 bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and died there. Expect more action on this in 2025; the first Trump Administration also had issues with WADA over U.S. representation and threatened to withhold dues that were eventually paid.
WADA has said that non-payment of dues will remove U.S. representatives from the Executive Committee and the Foundation Board, although there have been situations in the past where this has not happened.
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart said that non-payment of governmental dues will not subject athletes or the U.S. as a host country for Olympic Games or world championships to sanctions that would impact either.
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