A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-66.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Passed House 370–22
- To President
- Became Law
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This act is titled the ``Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act''. Its primary purpose is to reauthorize the Congressional Award Act. The bill extends the termination date of the program from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2028. It also includes specific amendments to the description of the award medals. These changes affect how the medals are described in the current law.
Yes
- Scored +3
Would children be better off under this?
The extension of the Congressional Award Program ensures continued recognition and opportunities for young people.
- Scored +3
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Extending the program provides several more years of opportunity for young adults to earn prestigious recognition.
- Scored +3
Would students be better off under this?
The bill extends the duration of the Congressional Award program which recognizes student achievements.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 370 yes · 22 no
12/15/2025 · Roll call 335 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Program Longevity: By extending the termination date from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2028, the bill ensures the program continues to exist for several more years (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The extension of the Congressional Award Program ensures continued recognition and opportunities for young people. Would students be better off under this? — The bill extends the duration of the Congressional Award program which recognizes student achievements. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Extending the program provides several more years of opportunity for young adults to earn prestigious recognition.
- Public Law (12/27/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 12/26/2025
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-66.
- 12/18/2025
- Presented to President.
- 12/15/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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).
- 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).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5888)
- 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 284.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5856-5857)
- Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 10/24/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 10/23/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 10/20/2025
- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7169; text: CR S7169)
- 7/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico