House passes equal pay bill for Team USA athletes

Driving the news: The bill, called the Equal Pay for Team USA, passed the Senate unanimously earlier this month and now heads to President Biden's desk.

• The bill requires that all athletes representing the U.S. in international competitions receive equal pay and benefits, including medical care, travel and expenses.

The big picture: The U.S. women's national soccer team earlier this year signed a collective bargaining agreement with U.S. Soccer, ensuring equal pay through identical economic terms through 2028.

• The Equal Pay for Team USA act was introduced in 2019 — after the U.S. women's national soccer team sued for equal pay.

What they're saying: "The Equal Pay for Team USA Act erases any ambiguity, setting the standard that — when it comes to pay, medical care, travel arrangements and reimbursement of expenses for players of the same sport — nothing short of equal is acceptable, regardless of gender," Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said after the House passage of the bill.

• "By sending this legislation to the President, both houses have sent a clear message that this is the standard for all national teams in all sports and it underscores the importance of working with our athletes to achieve equal pay including equalizing international prize money," Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, said in a statement.

Go deeper... Player empowerment is key to the future of U.S. women's pro soccer