Congress Opens Inquiry Into AAU Over Child Safety and Abuse Allegations
Bipartisan leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have begun examining how the Amateur Athletic Union has handled allegations of child sexual abuse, following reporting by ProPublica and The Washington Post. The panel sent AAU President Jo Mirza a letter seeking details about the organization's safety rules and coach training, and requested a briefing by Oct. 21. Lawmakers said they saw similarities to the committee's earlier inquiry into failures tied to former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s bipartisan leaders asked AAU President Jo Mirza for a briefing by Oct. 21. They want counts of abuse reports and coach discipline, plus details on safety rules and training. The AAU had withheld such data from ProPublica and The Washington Post.
The inquiry follows reporting that the AAU, with roughly 760,000 athletes and coaches, has not delivered promised protections. It reportedly lacks abuse-prevention training despite public claims, does not publish banned coaches, and uses confidential arbitration in some lawsuits. Lawmakers compared concerns to their prior Nassar review.
The inquiry may increase pressure on youth sports organizations to disclose abuse allegations and discipline records. Parents and young athletes could gain clearer information when choosing programs, while coaches and nonprofits may face stronger expectations for training, reporting, and transparency. If hearings or document requests expand, other governing bodies might review their own safeguards. The outcome remains uncertain, and any policy changes would likely depend on committee findings and AAU’s response.