Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act
- Bill Number
- S. 284
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-66
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-66.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-29T19:03:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation reauthorizes the Congressional Award Act, which establishes a non-competitive program to recognize outstanding achievements by young people aged 14-23 in areas like volunteering, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. The main goal is to extend the program's operations and make minor technical updates to its administrative details.
Key Provisions
- Reauthorization Extension: Amends the termination date of the program from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2028, ensuring it can continue for five additional years.
- Retroactive Effect: The extension applies as if it had been enacted on October 1, 2023, preventing any lapse in operations.
- Technical Amendments to Medals:
- Removes language specifying that medals must be made of gold-plated bronze, rhodium-plated bronze, or plain bronze.
- Simplifies wording in the section on medal production to remove a reference to the prior restrictions, giving more flexibility in design while maintaining compliance with production standards.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends the program's authorization period, which had previously expired on October 1, 2023, avoiding the need for a new law to restart it.
- Eliminates prescriptive details on medal materials, allowing the Congressional Award Board greater discretion in procurement and design without altering the program's core recognition process.
- These are minor procedural tweaks rather than substantive overhauls.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal; the U.S. Mint (implied in medal production) gains flexibility in manufacturing, potentially reducing costs or simplifying processes. The Congressional Award Board can operate continuously without funding interruptions.
- On Citizens: Benefits young participants (primarily U.S. youth aged 14-23) by ensuring the program remains available for earning bronze, silver, or gold-level awards, fostering leadership and community service. No direct costs to citizens.
- On International Relations: None apparent, as the program is domestic-focused, though it may indirectly promote U.S. values like civic engagement to international participants if they are eligible.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Congressional Award Board: Oversees program administration and will benefit from the extended timeline and reduced medal specifications.
- Youth Participants and Volunteers: Over 100,000 individuals have participated historically; extension ensures ongoing access to recognition and development opportunities.
- Congress: Maintains oversight of the program, which is a bipartisan initiative symbolizing congressional endorsement of youth achievement.
- U.S. Mint and Suppliers: Minor relief from rigid material requirements for producing medals.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Routine reauthorization complies with congressional practice for expiring programs; the retroactive clause avoids legal gaps in authority, ensuring seamless continuity under 2 U.S.C. §§ 801-809.
- Constitutional: No issues; aligns with Congress's Article I powers to establish rules for federal operations and recognize achievements without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Bipartisan support implied (enacted in the 119th Congress); reinforces Congress's role in youth programs without controversy, potentially serving as a low-stakes legislative win for promoting education and service. No significant debates or challenges noted in the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-66.
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-66.
- 2025-12-26: Signed by President.
- 2025-12-26: Signed by President.
- 2025-12-18: Presented to President.
- 2025-12-18: Presented to President.
- 2025-12-15: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-12-15: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 22 (Roll no. 335). (Roll call 335)
- 2025-12-15: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 22 (Roll no. 335). (Roll call 335)
- 2025-12-15: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5888)
- 2025-12-15: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2025-12-15: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 284.
- 2025-12-15: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5856-5857)
- 2025-12-15: Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-10-24: Held at the desk.
Bill Versions
- Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (1 pages)
- Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-10-20 — PDF (4 pages)
- Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-01-28 — PDF (2 pages)