US Law Makes WADA Funding Contingent on Independent Audit

The United States will continue withholding its membership dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a federal funding law freezing the payment pending an independent audit.

On February 3, 2026, President Trump signed into law H.R. 7148, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.” The statute requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to submit, at least 30 days before obligating funds for WADA dues, a detailed spending plan and an explanation of the proposed use of the funds. Crucially, the plan must include the results of an audit of WADA by external anti-doping experts and experienced independent auditors, demonstrating that WADA’s Executive Committee and Foundation are operating consistently with their duties.

The measure effectively conditions the release of US contributions on significant reforms at WADA. It follows sustained criticism of WADA’s handling of the Chinese swimmers’ doping case, which came to light in media reports in 2024. Notably, the Biden administration withheld dues for the first time in 2024, and the ONDCP continued the non-payment in 2025 under President Trump. The issue has emerged as a rare point of bipartisan consensus in Washington.

It is understood that the current non-payment of 2024 dues will not affect American athletes’ rights to compete domestically or internationally. WADA’s statutes state that non-payment of voluntary dues does not affect athletes in any way. The US anti-doping programme will also remain unaffected, with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) continuing to implement the WADA Code for US Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

The dispute unfolds at a sensitive moment for global sport, with the 2026 Winter Olympics underway and several major events scheduled to be hosted in the United States, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

How and when the funding impasse will be resolved remains to be seen.