Senate’s Focus Shifts from Economy to College Sports

The economy has been the focal point of this election, as it often is, but recently, the Senate has spent its remaining time discussing an unexpected topic: college sports. This diversion has raised concerns among some Republicans who worry they might be missing the mark on addressing voters’ pressing cost-of-living issues.

Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri expressed his hope that the bill currently being worked on would ultimately be the best legislation the Senate has ever passed, humorously adding that perhaps it might even be the “most perfect” piece of legislation yet.

“There’s a lot of things we could be doing and should be doing,” he commented, noting that the key issue remains costs—whether for fuel, prescription drugs, healthcare, or the economic pressures of the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector.

The Senate is set to leave D.C. on Wednesday to hit the campaign trail for the upcoming midterm elections. However, from the summer of 2025 to now, amidst shutdowns and partisan conflicts, it seems that concerns about rising costs have slipped down the agenda for many Republicans.

Nonetheless, Republicans tout their previous achievements, particularly a significant bill advocated as their cornerstone effort to tackle growing affordability challenges. This message echoed during the recent midterm convention held in Dallas and is being increasingly voiced in Senate discussions as November 3 approaches.

Meanwhile, the Senate has focused on passing the Protect College Sports Act from Senator Ted Cruz, which smoothly advanced through the chamber late Monday night. However, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana commented on the odd priority of addressing the needs of football coaches over pressing budgetary issues that families face across the nation. “When they lie down to sleep at night … they’re not worried about the football coaches,” he remarked.

Kennedy and others have urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to refocus their efforts on affordability, suggesting that at the very least, they should consider legislation to protect consumers from rising electricity costs due to the AI boom. He mentioned, “Because we haven’t done a damn thing, and it’s biting us in the ass right now.”

As Thune prepares for what might be the last push to handle affordability this week, a bill aimed at making AI companies responsible for rising utility costs is on the agenda. However, it is anticipated that Democrats will block this measure, likely due to the timing in relation to the midterm elections.

For some Republicans, these late efforts feel insufficient in addressing voters’ anxieties. Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina recalled how, after winning power in the state House, he was tasked with fixing the economy—the responsibility lay with those in power, regardless of past administrations. He urged that rationalizing inaction isn’t a viable strategy for good politics.

As Republicans seek a second chance at the ballot box this fall, Vice President JD Vance recently appealed to voters to “give us another chance.” When queried about this request, Tillis responded, sarcastically questioning the likelihood of success: “You know what? If it works, it’ll be a first.”