Key Takeaways
- •Witnesses and Senators strongly advocated for integrating adaptive sports as a core VA mission, citing its profound impact on veteran health and purpose, with VA supporting legislative adjustments.
- •Gabriel George and Elizabeth Smith shared how adaptive sports transformed their lives, emphasizing purpose, community, and the critical need for increased funding and rural access.
- •Senator King (I-ME) asked Gabriel George if sports combat veteran suicide, to which George (Witness) strongly agreed, highlighting the life-saving impact beyond physical benefits.
- •Senators across the aisle, including Moran (R-KS), Blumenthal (D-CT), Tuberville (R-AL), and Hirono (D-HI), expressed bipartisan support for expanding adaptive sports access and funding.
- •The committee will work with the VA to address rural access, streamline prosthetic delivery, and explore making adaptive sports a fundamental component of veteran healthcare and well-being.
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Hearing Analysis
Key Testimony
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee met on February 4, 2026, to examine the role of adaptive sports in the health, healing, and rehabilitation of disabled veterans. Chaired by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), the hearing highlighted how specialized athletic programs foster independence, improve mental health, and provide a sense of purpose for veterans recovering from catastrophic injuries or illnesses. The committee heard from a panel of veteran athletes and advocates, followed by testimony from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding current programming and pending legislation.
The hearing opened with powerful personal testimony from Gabriel George, Director of Pickleball for Military Adaptive Court Sports. George, a U.S. Navy veteran who suffered a paralyzed right arm and traumatic brain injury in a 2008 motorcycle accident, described a decade of living without purpose until a VA summer sports clinic introduced him to adaptive archery and pickleball. He shared a notable story of learning to shoot a bow by biting a string, a technique that eventually led him to compete in the Invictus Games. Elizabeth Smith, a retired U.S. Navy Aviation Maintenance Administrationman, shared her journey of recovering from medulloblastoma (brain and spine cancer). Smith emphasized that while elite competitions like the Warrior Games are transformative, there is a significant gap in support for veterans who simply wish to remain active for long-term health rather than elite competition.
Overview
A central theme of the hearing was the disparity in access for veterans living in rural areas. Smith noted that while major VA facilities offer robust programs, veterans in rural communities often face "hoops" and delays in receiving information or equipment. She advocated for smaller VA clinics to host local sports sessions to streamline communication. Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director for Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), echoed these concerns, identifying transportation as the primary barrier for rural veterans. Howell noted that while the VA provides grants for adaptive sports events, these funds cannot be used for veteran travel, often leaving those in remote areas unable to participate.
Several legislative proposals were discussed to address these barriers. Howell and several senators expressed strong support for S. 1723 (and its companion S. 1726), the Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation (ASSIST) Act. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), seeks a technical fix to ensure veterans can receive necessary modifications for adaptive vans, rather than being restricted to a narrow list of specific items. The committee also discussed S. 1644, the Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act, which would increase the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant from $6,800 to $10,000 to account for rising construction costs. Additionally, S. 3138, the Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreation Therapy (VET SPORT) Act, was highlighted as a means to remove bureaucratic hurdles for veterans seeking adaptive prostheses for recreational use.
Organizations & Entities
Dr. Rachel McArdle, Deputy Executive Director for the VA’s Office of Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services, provided the agency's perspective. She reported that the VA currently manages six national rehabilitation events and awarded $16 million in grants to non-governmental organizations last year, serving over 20,000 veterans. While the VA supported the intent of most pending bills, Dr. McArdle suggested technical amendments to S. 2981, the Veterans’ Prosthetic Advancement and Reform Act, citing concerns that a national prosthetic formulary would require substantial resources and could cause clinical delays if not fully integrated.
Key Testimony
Partisan dynamics were largely collaborative, with members from both parties agreeing that adaptive sports are a cost-effective alternative to over-prescription and a vital tool for preventing veteran suicide. However, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced a point of contention by questioning Dr. McArdle about the impact of the "DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency) program. Sen. Blumenthal inquired whether contracts for adaptive vehicles had been canceled due to DOGE-related cuts. Dr. McArdle stated she was unaware of any such cancellations within her office but promised to follow up for the record.
Notable exchanges included a discussion initiated by Sen. Angus King (I-ME) regarding the terminology of "adaptive" sports. Sen. King suggested dropping the word to treat them simply as "sports," but Gabriel George countered that the "adaptive" label is necessary to ensure facility managers understand and accept the specific accessibility needs of wheelchair athletes. Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) also engaged George in a lighthearted moment, asking George to be his partner in a future Senate pickleball tournament, to which George jokingly replied he would need to see the Senator play first.
Overview
The hearing concluded with a consensus that adaptive sports should be viewed as a "core mission" of the VA rather than an elective program. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Sen. King emphasized that investing in these programs likely saves the VA money in the long run by improving clinical outcomes and reducing the need for intensive medical interventions. Chairman Moran closed the session by requesting that witnesses and organizations submit further ideas for facilitating these programs more effectively, particularly regarding marketing and outreach to the millions of veterans not yet reached by current initiatives.
Transcript
[Gavel sounds.] Good afternoon everyone. The committee will come to order and we welcome our witnesses, certainly those who are here to hear the testimony and I look forward to Senator Blumenthal joining us shortly. He is on his way, but I'm excited about this hearing and I'm excited about the time of this hearing in advance of the Olympics and Paralympics and glad that we're on this path. The VA's Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events provides veterans with the opportunity for specialized rehabilitative adaptive sporting and creative arts events. These unique events are designed to foster independence, strengthen the community involvement and improve the overall quality of life for veterans living with disabilities. Through direct programming, adaptive sport grants and training stipends for elite veteran Paralympic athletes, our country provides veterans recovering from injury as they build new strengths, compete as teammates within a new community, and engage in healthy living through tailored athletic and rehabilitation events. America's service members and veterans are a testament to our nation's strength, resiliency and determination and we see that in the veteran athletes competing in VA adaptive sporting events or training to represent our nation in international competitions as part of Team USA. As the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games approach in Milan, I want to wish Team USA, especially the veteran athletes representing our nation, every success as they compete. Their dedication and perseverance inspire Americans, inspire the world, inspire other veterans. We're proud to cheer them on. Today, we're honored to welcome two veteran adaptive sport athletes who will share their journeys and how adaptive sports supported their path from rehabilitation to elite competition. I look forward to hearing your stories, discussing the roles these programs play in veterans' health and healing. I particularly look forward to hearing about how we can make sure that these opportunities are available to all veterans that could benefit from this program. My script says I should yield to the ranking member at this moment, but I'm going to introduce the witnesses and we're going to proceed. Testifying on this panel is Gabriel George, the director of pickleball at Military Adaptive Court Sports and adaptive sports ambassador; Elizabeth Smith, U.S. Navy aviation maintenance administrationman, retired; and Julie Howell, associate legislative director for Paralyzed Veterans of America. I'd also like to acknowledge Mason Simons, a Paralympian medalist, current Team USA member, member and ambassador at Oscar Mike Foundation, who unfortunately could not join us today due to an injury he recently sustained. His testimony will be made a part of the record and we wish him a very speedy recovery and thank all of you, all of you for being here this afternoon. Let me give Senator Blumenthal a moment to turn the page and then I recognize him for his opening statement.
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