Establishing the Congressional Fitness Challenge, and for other purposes.

Bill Number

H.Con.Res. 20

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Last Updated

2025-06-05T08:07:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This concurrent resolution establishes the Congressional Fitness Challenge, a voluntary national program to promote physical fitness and personal achievement among youth aged 6 through 17. It encourages participation through performance-based fitness tests, drawing inspiration from historical programs like the Presidential Physical Fitness Test, and provides recognition for participants meeting age- and gender-specific standards.

Key Provisions

• Fitness Tests: The program includes five standardized tests administered to eligible participants (students aged 6-17 in public, private, or home schools):
• 1-mile run or walk (timed).
• Pull-ups or flexed arm hang (maximum number completed with proper form).
• Curl-ups or sit-ups (number completed in 60 seconds).
• Shuttle run (timed 120-foot course involving picking up an object).
• Sit-and-reach (maximum distance reached for flexibility).
• Administration: Tests must be overseen by certified fitness professionals (e.g., qualified physical education teachers or trainers with certifications from organizations like the National Academy of Sports Medicine). Sponsors can include K-12 schools, members of Congress organizing community events, or independent entities for homeschoolers.
• Benchmarks: The Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Rules and Administration (covered committees) will develop age- and gender-based performance standards, including adaptations for participants with disabilities, in consultation with fitness experts.
• Data Collection: Sponsors submit participant data to the covered committees, which aggregate it annually by age and gender to track national trends.
• Recognition: Participants meeting or exceeding benchmarks receive a certificate signed by congressional leaders and their local representatives. Certificates indicate achievement levels (Gold for top 85th percentile, Silver for top 75th, Bronze for top 50th) based on national data.
• Oversight and Funding: Covered committees issue regulations on testing protocols, privacy protection, liability for sponsors, and data submission. Members of Congress can use existing office allowances for program activities; a future report will explore additional funding options.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

As a concurrent resolution, this does not amend statutes or create binding law but establishes a non-enforceable program within Congress. It introduces new congressional involvement in youth fitness by reviving elements of the discontinued Presidential Physical Fitness Test (a former executive program) under legislative oversight, without altering existing education, health, or funding laws.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Encourages improved physical fitness among youth through voluntary participation, potentially fostering healthier habits and national awareness of childhood activity levels. Data aggregation could inform public health trends without mandating involvement.
• On Government Agencies: Increases administrative duties for the covered committees in developing standards, collecting data, and issuing recognitions. Members of Congress may face minor workload increases for community events, funded via existing budgets, with no new appropriations required initially.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the program is domestic and focused on U.S. youth.

Main Stakeholders

• Eligible Participants: Students aged 6-17, including those in public, private, or home schools, who can voluntarily take part.
• Sponsors and Administrators: K-12 schools, members of Congress, independent homeschool entities, and certified fitness professionals responsible for organizing and overseeing tests.
• Congressional Bodies: The Committee on House Administration, Committee on Rules and Administration, and individual members/senators who sign certificates or host events.
• Fitness Organizations: Experts consulted for benchmarks, potentially influencing program standards.

Notable Implications

• Legal: Emphasizes participant privacy (e.g., data protection rules) and sponsor liability limits to encourage broad participation without legal risks. Adaptive standards ensure inclusivity under disability accommodations, aligning with broader anti-discrimination principles.
• Constitutional: Involves Congress in non-legislative activities like education promotion, which is permissible but could raise minor questions about separation of powers if expanded; no enforcement mechanisms avoid coercion issues.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan wellness initiatives, potentially boosting congressional visibility in communities. The program's voluntary nature and use of existing funds minimize controversy, though data collection could spark debates on youth privacy or federal overreach in local education.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham [R-AZ-8]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
• 2025-03-24: Submitted in House
• 2025-03-24: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Establishing the Congressional Fitness Challenge, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (8 pages)