New Council Revives Presidential Fitness Test, Links Childhood Obesity to National Security Threat

This bill, titled the “Make America’s Youth Healthy Again Act of 2025,” establishes a new, temporary advisory body called the Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. The core purpose of this Council is to advise the President on strategies to boost physical activity and healthy eating among American youth. Crucially, the Council is tasked with recommending actions to bring back the Presidential Fitness Test as the standard for earning the Presidential Fitness Award, a major shift back to standardized physical assessment in schools.

The Return of the Presidential Fitness Test

Remember those P.E. class days where you had to run the mile, do the shuttle run, and max out on sit-ups? This Council is charged with figuring out how to bring that back. Specifically, the bill mandates that the Council suggest strategies for reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test, likely with updates, as the main way students can earn the award. For parents and teachers, this means a likely return to more formalized, measurable physical education standards in schools, moving away from whatever local or state standards might be in place now. The Council must also recommend ways to develop and promote challenges and programs that specifically reward high-performing physical education programs, potentially funneling recognition or resources toward schools that prioritize fitness.

Linking Fitness to National Security

One of the most striking provisions in this bill is the requirement for the Council to develop strategies to address the “growing national security problem” caused by high rates of childhood obesity, chronic illness, and sedentary behavior. The bill frames this as a threat to the future readiness of the American workforce and military. This isn't just about P.E. anymore; it elevates childhood health from a public health issue to a matter of defense and economic stability. While this framing emphasizes the urgency of the problem, it’s a significant move that could justify broader federal involvement in local health and fitness programs.

How the Council Works (And Who Pays)

The President gets to appoint up to 30 members to this new Council for two-year terms. These members are volunteers—they won't receive a salary for their service. However, they can be reimbursed for travel expenses, like plane tickets and daily allowances, provided the funding is available. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for providing the necessary funding and support for the Council’s operations. For taxpayers, this means the administrative costs of this new advisory body will be absorbed by the existing HHS budget. Importantly, the Council has a built-in expiration date: it’s set to shut down two years after the Act becomes law, unless the President decides to extend its life, which keeps the door open for it to become a permanent fixture.