Miracle On Ice Act
The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act
The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act has been introduced in both the U.S. House (H.R. 452) and U.S. Senate (S. 94) of the 119th Congress.
On Monday, April 28, 2005, the bill passed the U.S. House with unanimous support.
THE BILL IN SHORT
The bill is an effort to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 1980 United States Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the XIII Olympic Winter Games where, being comprised of amateur collegiate players, they defeated the dominant Soviet ice hockey team in the historic "Miracle on Ice," revitalizing morale in the United States at the height of the Cold War, inspiring generations, and transforming the sport of ice hockey in the United States.
WHAT IS THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL?
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by the United States Congress. It is awarded to persons who have made a major and long-standing impact on American history and culture.
HOW DOES THE BILL GET PASSED?
On April 28, 2025, the U.S. House passed the bill with unanimous support and final efforts are taking place to secure the necessary co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate to assure its passage. For the bill to become law, it needs 2/3 approval in both the House and Senate and then signature by the president.
To see the current cosponsors in the Senate, click here.
IMPACT OF THE 1980 TEAM
The impact of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team transcends sports as its remarkable and magical run to the gold medal, including the Miracle on Ice victory against the vaunted Soviet Union, was a morale booster for Americans around the nation -- whether hockey fans or not – at a time when American power and prestige seemed on the wane.
The Disney movie Miracle, which hit theaters in 2004, helped showcase the incredible story of the 20 college-aged players, led by legendary head coach Herb Brooks, who completed the unthinkable and had its accomplishment named the sports story of the century by Sports Illustrated.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Your help is IMPORTANT in getting the bill passed. What can you do? Please reach out to the members of the U.S. Senate in your state and encourage them to sign on as a cosponsor of the bill. To find your legislators, click here. When reaching out to Senate members, please refer to Senate, Bill S. 94.
Thanks for your help to secure this well-deserved honor for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.