Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act
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This law reauthorizes the Congressional Award Board and its youth achievement program through fiscal year 2028, extending an authorization that had lapsed in 2023.
It also removes a decades-old requirement dictating the metal composition of the program's medals, giving the board flexibility over how they are made.
What this law does
What it does
The law extends the termination date of the Congressional Award Act's authority from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2028, keeping the Congressional Award Board and its youth recognition program running. Because the prior authorization had already lapsed, the extension is made retroactive to October 1, 2023, so there is no gap in the program's legal authority. The law also amends the Act's medal provisions, striking the requirement that medals be made of gold-plate over bronze, rhodium over bronze, or bronze, and makes a related conforming edit to the section governing how medals are struck. It does not change the program's eligibility rules, award criteria, or funding structure.
Key provisions
- 1Extends the Congressional Award Act's termination date from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2028.
- 2Makes the extension retroactive, effective as if enacted on October 1, 2023, closing any gap in authority.
- 3Removes the requirement that program medals be made of gold-plate over bronze, rhodium over bronze, or bronze.
- 4Makes a conforming amendment to the medal-striking provision to remove its cross-reference to the deleted material requirement.
Who is affected
The Congressional Award Board, which administers the program; young people ages 14 to 23 who participate to earn medals for public service, personal development, and physical fitness achievements; and the entities responsible for producing the program's medals.
Why it matters
The reauthorization ensures the Congressional Award Program can keep operating and recognizing youth achievement without interruption, retroactively covering the period since its prior authority expired. Removing the fixed medal-material requirement gives the board flexibility to change how medals are manufactured without needing further legislation.
What changed
Changes to existing law
Reauthorizes Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 808) (Sec. 2)
Extends the program's termination date from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2028, retroactively.
Amends Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 802) (Sec. 3)
Strikes the requirement that medals consist of specific metal compositions and updates a related cross-reference.
Effective dates
- The extended termination date and its retroactive application
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Became Public Law No: 119-66.
Official CRS summary
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This 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
Congress; Congressional tributes; Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations