Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports Relaunches, Co-Chaired by Reps. Marc Veasey and Jake Ellzey

Washington, D.C. – May 16, 2025 – Yesterday, Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX) and Jake Ellzey (R-TX) announced the official resurrection of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports, reaffirming Congress’s commitment to expanding access and increasing youth sports participation to communities across the nation.

The caucus, co-chaired by Reps.Veasey and Ellzey, will bring together lawmakers to address the challenges facing our nation’s youth, including youth physical and mental health, juvenile crime, lagging educational outcomes, and lack of military preparedness, and the proven benefit of youth sports in counteracting and preventing these negative outcomes.   

“Youth development is about more than academics—it’s about access to safe spaces where kids can play, grow, and thrive,” said Rep. Marc Veasey. “When I first co-chaired this caucus, our goal was to ensure every child—regardless of zip code—could benefit from the life skills, health, and community that sports provide. Reviving this caucus with Congressman Ellzey and our colleagues means we can do even more to break down barriers and invest in the next generation of leaders.”

Rep. Jake Ellzey added, “As a former athlete and a parent, I know firsthand the positive impact sports can have on young people. Teamwork, discipline, and perseverance are lessons that last a lifetime. I’m proud to join Congressman Veasey in leading this bipartisan effort to support youth sports, strengthen our communities, and ensure every child has a chance to succeed—on and off the field.”

The nation has a public health goal for youth participating in sports: 63% by the end of the decade, a target set through the Healthy People 2030 program administered by the Office of Health and Human Services. Currently our nation sits at 54% youth sports participation, as reflected in the latest available data from the National Children's Health Survey.

The revitalized caucus was announced today by Representatives Veasey and Ellzey at the National Physical Fitness and Sports Month’s Congressional Youth Sports Fest. The event was hosted by FundPlay Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to equalizing the playing field for youth sports, and featured activations by the National Football League and Washington Wizards, as well as other leading companies working to increase youth sports participation nationwide, in honor of National Physical Sports and Fitness Month (May 2025). 

The Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports will focus on expanding access to facilities, increasing funding for community programs, and advocating for policies that support the holistic development of young athletes. The caucus welcomes the involvement of stakeholders nationwide as it embarks on this renewed mission.

The current membership of the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports can be found here: https://fundplay.org/story/congressional-caucus-on-youth-sports/ 

Media Contact:
Edward Do (Walrod), Communications Director, Rep. Veasey, edward.do@mail.house.gov 
Scott Gilfillan, Communications Director, Rep. Ellzey, Scott.Gilfillan@mail.house.gov