The US Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act by a bipartisan vote of 77-22, clearing the biggest hurdle yet in a years-long push to bring order to college athletics. The bill, led by Senate Commerce chairman Ted Cruz and senator Maria Cantwell, passed on Monday, September 28, and now moves to the House of Representatives.

It would grant the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption to restore a five-year eligibility rule and enforce transfer limits, while codifying regulation of name, image and likeness deals that now pay some athletes millions of dollars a season. Supporters include the NCAA, major conferences and President Trump, who called for its passage on September 17.

Critics warn it disempowers athletes: senator Cory Booker, himself a former college athlete, called it “a bill that’s going to hurt so many” in a lengthy floor speech before the vote. The Senate had invoked cloture by 74-25 on September 24. The bill’s fate in the House is unclear, as the chamber is in recess until after the November midterm elections.