Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21) introduced the Gaining A Meaningful Experience from Service (GAMES) Act today to expand eligibility for veterans participating in the Warrior and Invictus Games. This bill allows broader access to necessary funds for participation. 

“Recovery doesn’t have an expiration date, and our support for veterans shouldn’t either,” said Rep. Brian Mast. “My bill opens the door for more American heroes to take part in the Warrior and Invictus Games and reminds them that their service will never be forgotten.” 

The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Warrior Games provides wounded veterans exposure to adaptive sports during rehabilitation. Each July, our nation’s injured combat heroes gather for a sporting tournament celebrating their recovery and honoring their commitment to our country. Similarly, the Invictus Games were founded in 2014, granting veterans the opportunity to compete on an international level. 

Congress already authorizes the DoD to spend appropriated funds on military adaptive sports programs, including the DoD Warrior Games and Invictus Games. As currently written, it states that adaptive sports programming is for any member of the Armed Forces who is eligible to participate due to an injury, illness, or wound incurred in the line of duty and is on the Temporary Disability Retirement List or the Permanent Disability Retirement List, but only within one year of separation. The GAMES Act strikes that condition to allow veterans to participate regardless of the time passed since their medical retirement. Lifting this restraint supports all interested wounded veterans for Warrior and Invictus Games sponsorship. This bill will expand enrollment in the Warrior and Invictus Games, and it affirms support for injured veterans in recovery.