Reporter’s Notebook: Congress debates college sports NIL bill amid Lane Kiffin LSU controversy

There’s no easy solution in Congress to fix spiking healthcare premiums by the end of the year.

“Republicans are sleepwalking America straight into a healthcare crisis,” thundered Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

The sides lack consensus so far on bills to avoid a partial government shutdown in late January.

“We still have a lot of work to do on them,” said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho.

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With a myriad of critical issues on the docket for Congress in the coming weeks, time is of the essence.

“I’m literally thinking and watching the clock in front of me tick,” said Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., raised eyebrows by questioning the timing of a bill concerning finances in college sports that was set for debate last week in the House. Jeffries directed his inquiries at House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Minority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., both known LSU supporters.

“Who exactly directed Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise to bring this bill to the floor this week? Was it the big donors connected to LSU?” questioned Jeffries. “Why would Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise think it was a good idea to bring the ‘Lane Kiffin Protection Act’ to the floor of the House of Representatives?”

Jeffries’ pointed reference to the “Lane Kiffin Protection Act” raised eyebrows and prompted further scrutiny.

The timing of the bill coincided with Lane Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss to LSU, a decision that stirred controversy in the college football world given Ole Miss’ strong season performance.

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Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin watches his team play against Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, Oct. 25, 2025. (Alonzo Adams/AP Newsroom)

Despite the bill’s potential impact on college sports, House Republicans faced challenges in moving the legislation forward. Ultimately, the bill was pulled from the schedule, with Scalise citing a fragile bipartisan coalition as the reason for the decision.

While some speculated about a connection between the bill and Kiffin’s move to LSU, Scalise denied any correlation.

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Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6) is hit by LSU linebacker Whit Weeks (40), who was penalized for targeting on the play, and safety Tamarcus Cooley (0), Sept. 13, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Gerald Herbert/AP Photo)

Lawmakers expressed concerns about the broader issues facing college sports, including the influx of money and the coaching carousel that often disrupts the system.

“I think the Kiffin issue is emblematic,” said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas. “It certainly demonstrates how broken this whole system is. It’s just ridiculous.”

Roy called for Congress to address the challenges in college sports, particularly regarding revenue sharing and athlete rights.

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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, left, and House Speaker Mike Johnson during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Nov. 5, 2025. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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While the bill addressing NILs was tabled for now, Scalise remains optimistic about its return. He emphasized the importance of addressing college athletics and protecting student-athletes.

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As Congress grapples with a packed legislative agenda, it remains to be seen if the NIL bill will resurface. With critical issues like healthcare and spending bills still unresolved, lawmakers face a race against time to address pressing concerns before the year’s end.

And when it comes to the challenges in Congress, Lane Kiffin is just the tip of the iceberg.