By Eric Stock
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, is taking part in effort to kickstart a bid for the United States to host soccer’s World Cup in 2026.
“Soccer is the fastest growing sport in the United States,” LaHood said. “In my district alone, I have nine colleges and universities and that have men’s and women’s soccer. Both Illinois Wesleyan and ISU have great programs.”
LaHood told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin landing the World Cup would provide a $1 billion boost to the U.S. economy.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with LaHood on WJBC.
“That’s big money,” LaHood declared.
The U.S. would be part of North America’s bid to host the World Cup. Some matches would be played in Mexico and Canada.
Soccer’s governing body FIFA has long been criticized for corruption, particularly for taking bribes from World Cup bidders, but LaHood said he’s comfortable with reforms FIFA has implemented to clean up its act.
Dodd-Frank
The House has joined the Senate in passing an overhaul of the landmark Dodd-Frank law that grew out of the 2008 financial collapse. Congress will now send President Donald Trump a bill for his signature that dismantles part of the rules framework for banks that was designed to prevent another financial collapse.
LaHood said the law takes a common-sense approach to keep banks from risky loans.
“It’s kind of a recalibrating of the system but I think in the end it is going to benefit consumers and people that rely on loans from small community banks in central and west-central Illinois,” LaHood said.
Backers of the legislation argue that loosening the restraints will boost lending and the economy.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
