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, and on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, the bill passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent.
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 the same happened in the U.S. Senate on Sept. 8, 2025.
The final step is signature of the legislation by President Trump, which is anticipated to happen this Fall.
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.
