The Congressional Award is the only official recognition Congress gives directly to young Americans — presented to people ages 13 to 23 who voluntarily complete goals in community service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition or exploration. The program's legal authorization had lapsed at the end of fiscal year 2023, so this bill renews it retroactively to that date and extends it through October 1, 2028, giving the program five more years of legal standing. A small technical change also removes outdated language in the law specifying the metal composition of the award medals, giving the program more flexibility in how the gold, silver, and bronze medals are manufactured. The program is nonpartisan, administered by a volunteer board, and this bill does not include a direct appropriation of funds.
Congressional Summary
Congressional Award Program Reauthorization ActThis act reauthorizes through FY2028 the Congressional Award Board, the board that administers the Congressional Award Program, and modifies program medals.(The program, established by law in 1979, awards medals to youth ages 14 to 23 who satisfy standards of achievement set by the board. The program aims to promote initiative, achievement, and excellence among youth in the areas of public service, personal development, and physical fitness.)The act removes a requirement for program medals to consist of gold-plate over bronze, rhodium over bronze, or bronze.The reauthorization is effective as if enacted on October 1, 2023 (the date on which a prior reauthorization expired).
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Public Law
- Action Date
- 2025-12-26
- Date Added
- 2026-06-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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