Congressional Award Program Gets Green Light for Five More Years: Program Extended to 2028

The Congressional Award Program, which recognizes young people for their achievements in volunteer service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration, is getting a five-year extension. The "Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act" updates the existing law, pushing the program's termination date to October 1, 2028. This extension is retroactive, meaning it's like they hit the rewind button to October 1, 2023, so there's no gap in the program.

Keeping the Awards Going

This reauthorization means the program can continue offering its awards—Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional Awards—to young people who meet specific goals in the four areas. Essentially, it's a structured way to encourage young people to set and achieve goals, volunteer in their communities, and push themselves to grow. The bill keeps the core mission of the program intact, so young people across the country can continue striving for these awards and getting recognition for their efforts.

Tweaks to the Medals

One notable change is about the medals themselves. The original law (Section 3) spelled out exactly what the medals had to be made of—gold plate over bronze, rhodium over bronze, or just bronze. Now, that requirement is gone. This could give the program more flexibility in choosing materials, possibly leading to cost savings or allowing for more modern designs. The change might not seem huge, but it could impact how the award is produced and maybe even perceived.

Small Fix, Big Picture

There's also a tiny grammar tweak in Section 3, cleaning up the wording of how the award design is described. It’s a minor technical correction, but it shows an attention to detail in keeping the legislation up-to-date. Overall, the reauthorization ensures that the Congressional Award Program keeps running, giving young people a framework to challenge themselves and contribute to their communities.