{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://carey.house.gov/2026/07/22/carey-barragan-introduce-bipartisan-strong-kids-act-to-expand-access-to-youth-sports-nationwide/", "Carey, Barrag\u00e1n Introduce Bipartisan STRONG Kids Act to Expand Access to Youth Sports Nationwide", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Mike Carey", "C001126", "carey.house.gov", "carey", "https://carey.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Reps. Mike Carey (R-Ohio-15) and Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n (D-California-44) introduced the bipartisan Sports Training, Recreation, and Opportunities for the Next Generation Act, or the STRONG Kids Act, to expand access to youth sports and strengthen the quality, safety, and developmental benefits of physical activity programs for kids nationwide.\n\nThe STRONG Kids Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a competitive grant program for national and regional nonprofits or governmental organizations that run youth sports programs. The bill is designed to improve health and positive youth development outcomes by increasing access to sports for children under 18.\n\n\u201cToo many kids are being priced out of the playing field or don\u2019t have access to the programs that help them grow stronger in body and character,\u201d said Rep. Mike Carey. \u201cThe STRONG Kids Act takes a commonsense approach to expanding access to youth sports, improving safety, and helping more young people build healthy habits that last a lifetime. Every kid should have the opportunity to play, learn, and be part of a team. I want to thank Representative Barrag\u00e1n for joining me in this effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery child deserves the opportunity to be active and experience the confidence and connection that come from sports and physical activity,\u201d said Congresswoman Barrag\u00e1n. \u201cBut for too many families, cost and a lack of local programs put those opportunities out of reach. The STRONG KIDS Act invests directly in organizations helping young people build healthy habits, develop teamwork and resilience, and form stronger connections with their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cFundPlay Foundation is proud to have helped develop the STRONG Kids Act and support its introduction,\u201d said Jared Cooper, Executive Director of FundPlay Foundation. \u201cThis bill will help local organizations expand access, strengthen coaching and safety practices, and create more opportunities for young people, especially those in under-resourced communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt the YMCA, we see every day that sports and physical activity do more than keep kids healthy\u2014they build confidence, foster meaningful relationships, and equip young people with skills they need to thrive,\u201d said Jeff Britt, SVP of Government Relations and Policy at YMCA of the USA. \u201cThe Strong Kids Act reflects a strong bipartisan commitment to expanding access to safe, affordable opportunities to play and we\u2019re encouraged by this investment in the health and well-being of young people.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe STRONG Kids Act represents an important opportunity to strengthen community-based sports programs nationwide without creating new costs for taxpayers,\u201d said Kristine Stratton, President and CEO, National Recreation and Park Association. \u201cPark and recreation agencies reached more than 50 million young people through affordable and accessible programs in 2025, and these agencies serve as the nation\u2019s largest local sports network. This legislation would help expand those opportunities nationwide ensuring young people have safe, affordable places to play, grow and connect. That\u2019s why NRPA is proud to support this legislation\u201d\n\nUnder this legislation, HHS could award grants of up to $5M to national nonprofits or government organizations and up to $2.5M to regional nonprofits or state-based government organizations, which would then make subgrants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to local providers. Eligible uses include reducing participation costs, expanding adaptive sports access, supporting coach training, improving safety practices, implementing SafeSport-aligned protections, and promoting positive youth development through sports.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://carey.house.gov/2026/07/22/carey-barragan-introduce-bipartisan-strong-kids-act-to-expand-access-to-youth-sports-nationwide/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5913969837129116, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}