U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Bipartisan Push to Establish an Investigation into the U.S Olympic Committee & USA Gymnastics Over Decades of Sexual Abuse

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in supporting a resolution, led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), to establish a special Senate committee to investigate the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and USA Gymnastics regarding how team doctor Larry Nassar was allowed to sexually abuse female gymnasts over decades.

“Our bipartisan push to open this investigation will provide needed oversight and accountability,” said Senator Baldwin. “The pattern of sexual abuse, spanning over decades, is horrific and there are many questions that deserve answers. I stand with the courageous young athletes who spoke out and together with my colleagues in the Senate I want to make sure this never happens again.”

The resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Scott (R-SC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Burr (R-NC), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Tina Smith (D-MN). It also has the endorsement of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

Specifically, the resolution establishes a special committee of the Senate that is tasked with:

• Investigating the USOC and national sports governing bodies, including USA Gymnastics, and determining the extent to which these organizations were complicit in the criminal or negligent behavior of their employees relative to sexual abuse;
• Identifying and recommending solutions to the systemic failures at the USOC and national sports governing bodies, including USA Gymnastics, that allowed for pervasive sexual abuse to continue for decades;
• Identifying actions that must be taken by the USOC and national sports governing bodies, including USA Gymnastics, to ensure increased transparency and protections for children, athletes and their families; and
• Making findings and recommendations on any additional actions that may be necessary to hold the USOC and USA Gymnastics accountable.

The full text of the resolution can be read here.