Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after the House voted in support of his amendment, the Keep Young Athletes Safe Act grant program funding increase.

"While no abuse in sport should be tolerated, the protection of our children from sexual abuse should be our number one priority,” said Burgess. “In 2018, Congress authorized the Keep Young Athletes Safe Act grant program which provides funding for a nonprofit nongovernmental entity to combat physical, emotional, sexual, and verbal abuse in amateur sports, including in our Olympic and Paralympic programs. Due to this Coronavirus, the United States Center for Safesport, an eligible grant recipient, is suffering from a lack of funding. This bipartisan amendment will double the amount appropriated for FY2021 to $5 million.

"I am grateful for the bipartisan support of this important amendment. Many of our young athletes go on to represent the United States in world and Olympic competitions, and they deserve to be safe and supported as they pursue their goals and dreams through sport."