GAMES Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3219
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The GAMES Act (Gaining Meaningful Experiences from Service Act) aims to broaden access to a military adaptive sports program for veterans. Adaptive sports programs are activities designed for individuals with disabilities, such as wheelchair basketball or adaptive skiing, to promote physical fitness and rehabilitation. This bill removes a time restriction that previously limited participation, allowing more veterans to benefit from these programs long-term.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: The bill modifies Section 2564a of Title 10, United States Code, which governs Department of Defense (DoD) support for adaptive sports.
- Specific Change: In subsection (a)(1)(B), it strikes (removes) the phrase ", during the one-year period following the veteran's date of separation." This eliminates the requirement that veterans must participate within one year after leaving active duty.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, eligibility for the program was restricted to veterans within one year of separation from service, likely to prioritize recent service members transitioning to civilian life.
- The amendment expands eligibility indefinitely, meaning separated veterans can access the program at any time after their discharge, without a deadline.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD, which administers the program, may see increased participation and resource demands, potentially requiring additional funding or administrative adjustments to handle a larger pool of eligible veterans.
- On Citizens: Veterans, particularly those with service-related disabilities, gain ongoing access to rehabilitative and recreational sports, which could improve physical health, mental well-being, and social integration. This supports broader veteran reintegration efforts without time barriers.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. military and veteran programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially those separated from service for more than one year who were previously ineligible.
- Department of Defense and Military Branches: Responsible for program implementation; may need to expand outreach and capacity.
- Veteran Support Organizations: Groups like the Paralympics or adaptive sports nonprofits could see increased collaboration with the DoD.
- Congressional Committees: The House Committee on Armed Services, which received the bill, oversees related veteran and military policies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The change is a straightforward statutory amendment to federal code, enhancing access under existing DoD authority without creating new programs or funding mandates. It aligns with laws supporting veteran benefits but does not alter constitutional frameworks like equal protection.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it expands benefits for a specific group (veterans) without infringing on rights or federal powers.
- Political: The bill reflects bipartisan support for veteran welfare, introduced by Rep. Mast (R-FL), and could encourage similar expansions in military support services. It promotes long-term veteran care, potentially influencing future appropriations for adaptive programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-05-06: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Gaining Meaningful Experiences from Service Act — issued 2025-05-06 — PDF (2 pages)