Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act

The extension, effective retroactively from October 1, 2023, keeps the youth achievement program authorized while allowing more flexibility in medal composition.

What the law does ​

• Reauthorizes the Congressional Award Program through October 1, 2028.
• Applies the extension retroactively beginning October 1, 2023.
• Removes requirements to make award medals from gold-plated bronze, rhodium-plated bronze, or bronze.
• Retains the existing process for producing the medals.

Who it affects ​

• Young people participating in the Congressional Award Program.
• Program administrators and medal producers.

Context ​

The law was approved on December 26, 2025.

Breakdown ​

Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act ​

This law continues the Congressional Award Program through October 1, 2028, with the extension treated as effective beginning October 1, 2023. It also removes statutory requirements that Congressional Award medals use specified metal compositions, while retaining the existing process for producing the medals.

Key takeaways

• The Congressional Award Program is authorized to continue until October 1, 2028.
• The extension applies retroactively as of October 1, 2023.
• Congressional Award medals are no longer required by statute to be made of gold-plated bronze, rhodium-plated bronze, or bronze.
• The law was approved on December 26, 2025.