Week ahead: Senate takes a close look at FIFA

Senators are going to take a close look at the governance of international soccer in the wake of a corruption scandal that rocked FIFA.

The Wednesday hearing by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security will examine the role the United States plays in international soccer.

A U.S. investigation led to an indictment in May alleging that FIFA executives paid more than $150 million in kickbacks and bribes for media and rights to market international soccer matches since 1991.

{mosads}Facing intense national pressure, longtime FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced plans to resign last month.

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), the subcommittee chairman, said the recent revelations of bribery and mismanagement at the international soccer governing body should be a concern to all.

“This hearing on the recent FIFA scandals will begin the discussion about our country’s own participation in the organization, ways the United States and our allies can work to reform FIFA, and how we can restore integrity to the game so many Americans and citizens of the world enjoy,” he said.

Lawmakers also plan to discuss concerns over the labor conditions for workers in Qatar, the country hosting the 2022 World Cup.

Human Rights Watch, an international advocacy group, issued a report in 2014 detailing widespread abuses, including punishing hours, unpaid wages, unsanitary work camps and dangerous working conditions in Qatar. Lawmakers have been calling for protections ever since.

Elsewhere, the head of the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Howard Shelanski, will be in the hot seat with hearings before the House on Wednesday and the Senate on Thursday. http://1.usa.gov/1UKB0Jz and http://1.usa.gov/1Cst8Gq

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will also conclude their two-part hearing on criminal justice reform on Tuesday. http://1.usa.gov/1TqscGV

On Wednesday, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray will deliver the agency’s semi-annual report to the Senate Banking Committee. http://1.usa.gov/1fuBtj1

That same day, the House Small Business Committee will examine how entrepreneurs are using drones to do business. http://1.usa.gov/1Gcss2U

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