A resolution recognizing the Army-Navy football game as America's Game.

119th Congress Introduced by Marsha Blackburn and 14 co-sponsors

The Army–Navy Game should keep its exclusive December slot as a premier national tradition that supports recruiting, civic visibility, and nationwide viewership.

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Summary of S. Res. 613 (119th Congress, 2nd Session)

Purpose and intent

Recognizes the Army-Navy football game as “America’s Game.”

Establishes that the Army-Navy Game is a cornerstone of the U.S. collegiate sports tradition, with unique national significance related to patriotism, unity, and promotion of military service.

Emphasizes the game’s role in inspiring current and future service members and supporting military recruiting.

Key provisions and changes

Declares, in sense-of-the-Senate language, that:

The Army-Navy Game is a premier college football tradition and an important influence on military recruiting.
The game should retain its exclusive status as the only college football game broadcast in its specific time slot on the second Saturday of December, to promote nationwide viewership, civic engagement, and recognition of service members.
Broadcasters, collegiate athletic associations, conferences, and higher education institutions should avoid scheduling other college football games during this time slot.
Federal agencies should review existing policies to enhance coordination and public promotion of the game’s civic importance.

No new statutory requirements or funding are created; the resolution expresses the sense of the Senate and guidance for sector behavior and policy review.

Affected parties and stakeholders

United States Military Academy (Army) and United States Naval Academy (Navy) cadets and midshipmen.

Broadcasters and television networks that hold the Army-Navy broadcast rights.

Collegiate athletic conferences and institutions of higher education.

Federal agencies involved in broadcasting policy, public communication, and military recruitment (notably the FCC and others with a role in event scheduling and public interest).

The broader American public and audiences who participate in or are influenced by the tradition and civic messaging surrounding the game.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and considered in the Senate on February 25, 2026.

The resolution was agreed to by unanimous consent, without amendment and with a preamble.

As a resolution (not a law), it does not impose binding statutory requirements or create direct enforcement mechanisms; it expresses the sense of the Senate and guidance for policy coordination and scheduling norms.

Potential impact and implications

Reinforces theArmy-Navy Game’s status as a national symbol and recruiting tool, potentially shaping how broadcasters and organizers plan schedules for the second Saturday of December.

Signals bipartisan and bicameral support for maintaining a prominent, singular time slot for the game.

Encourages federal agencies to consider policies that bolster the game’s public recognition and civic significance.

May influence industry practices regarding scheduling around the game, potentially limiting or discouraging competing college football broadcasts during the same time window.