FIT FUTURE ACT

On 2026-09-16, Representative Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-7) delivered a floor speech titled "FIT FUTURE ACT" in the House.

FIT FUTURE ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5908-H5911] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] FIT FUTURE ACT Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9723) to establish the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 9723 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Fit Future Act''. SEC. 2. PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON SPORTS, FITNESS, AND NUTRITION. (a) Establishment.--There is established the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (referred to in this section as the ``Council''). (b) Membership.-- (1) Appointments.--The Council shall consist of not more than 30 members appointed by the President. (2) Membership.--The members of the Council may include representatives of relevant stakeholders. (3) Terms.--A member of the Council-- (A) shall serve for a term of 2 years; (B) shall be eligible for reappointment; and (C) may continue to serve after the expiration of the term described in subparagraph (A) until the appointment of a successor. (4) Chair; vice chair.--The President may designate one or more of the members of the Council to serve as the Chair or Vice Chair of the Council. (c) Functions of Council.-- (1) In general.--The Council shall-- (A) advise the President and Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning progress made in carrying out the provisions of this section; and (B) recommend to the President and Secretary of Health and Human Services actions to accelerate such progress. (2) Recommendations.--In carrying out this section, the Council shall recommend-- (A) strategies for reestablishing and implementing the Presidential Fitness Test, with any appropriate improvements, as the main assessment tool for a Presidential Fitness Award; (B) strategies for the development and promotion of adaptive physical fitness measures and programs to help students develop lifelong physically active habits; (C) strategies for the promotion of Presidential challenges and school-based programs that reward excellence in physical education; (D) bold and innovative fitness goals for American youth with the aim of fostering a new generation of healthy, active citizens; (E) campaigns and events that elevate American sports, military readiness, and health traditions; (F) actions and opportunities at the global, national, State, and local levels that expand participation in sports and engagement in physical fitness and that emphasize the importance of an active lifestyle and good nutrition, including partnerships with professional athletes, sports organizations, players associations, influential figures, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to inspire all Americans; (G) strategies to address the rising costs associated with youth sports by expanding access to nonprofit recreational and athletic opportunities; (H) opportunities to increase participation in sports and physical activities with the goal of increasing availability of and access to recreational sports and other physical activities, including for youth with barriers to access, including youth with disabilities; (I) strategies to encourage participation in a wide range of sports and physical activities that support an active lifestyle to minimize burnout, injuries, and early specialization in a particular sport or activity; and (J) strategies to address the growing national security threat posed by the increasing rates of childhood obesity, chronic diseases, and sedentary lifestyles, which threaten the future readiness of the United States workforce and military. (d) Administration.-- (1) Executive director.--The President shall designate an Executive Director of the Council who shall-- (A) manage day-to-day operations; (B) serve as a liaison to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters and activities pertaining to the Council; and (C) oversee engagement with executive departments and agencies, athletic institutions, and community partners. (2) Information to be furnished by departments and agencies.--Each executive department and agency shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of funds, furnish such information and assistance to the Council as the Council may request. (3) Compensation.--Members of the Council shall serve without compensation but may receive travel reimbursement, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, subject to the availability of funds. (4) Funding; administrative and technical support.-- (A) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide such funding and administrative and technical support as the Council may require, subject to appropriations Acts. (B) Additional funds.--The Council may receive funds from the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition in accordance with the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition Establishment Act (Public Law 111-332). (5) Subcommittees.--The Council may, with the approval of the President, establish subcommittees as appropriate to aid in the work of the Council. (6) Seal.--The Council shall modify the seal of the ``President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports'' to reflect the name of the Council as established by subsection (a). (7) Federal advisory committee act.--To the extent that chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (known as the ``Federal Advisory Committee Act''), may apply to the administration of this section, any functions of the President under such chapter, except that of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in accordance with the guidelines and procedures issued by the Administrator of General Services. (e) Termination.--The Council shall terminate on a date designated by the President. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fong). Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan. General Leave Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 9723. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Michigan? There was no objection. Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 9723, the Fit Future Act, because a strong country starts with strong kids. Not only is fitness important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it is also critical to child development. Kids today are facing a growing crisis. Only 20 percent of children are meeting the requirements of daily activity, and one in five American children and teens have obesity. These consequences can last a lifetime. Research shows that childhood obesity and inactivity raise the risk of serious health problems later in life, making it more important than ever to encourage healthy habits today. [[Page H5909]] H.R. 9723 codifies the Presidential Fitness Test and makes physical activity a lasting national priority--helping more kids build healthy habits and grow into healthier adults. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 9723, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9723, the Fit Future Act. This bill codifies the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. The President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition is a ``Federal advisory committee that aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity for all people, regardless of background or ability.'' This council has been expanded and rebranded through executive orders under previous administrations going all the way back to President Eisenhower. Notably, under the Obama administration, the council's mission was expanded to focus on healthy eating habits and elevate the importance of healthy eating, an initiative spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama. The Fit Future Act would mirror President Trump's executive order by codifying the council and requiring it to make recommendations on strategies for the promotion of Presidential challenges and school- based programs that reward excellence in physical education, proposed actions to increase participation in sports and physical fitness opportunities, and strategies for reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test. This was phased out under the Obama administration over lack of inclusivity and effectiveness. While the bill largely codifies an existing advisory body, the committee's adoption of Democratic amendments by the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Mannion) on affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity will strengthen the bill by ensuring that efforts to promote youth fitness are more equitable despite students' differing abilities or disabilities or how much a family makes. These amendments are critical to ensuring that children are not left behind or subject to old fitness tests that have the potential to stigmatize and exclude children. Additionally, the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Mannion) requires the council to recognize and consider activities that minimize burnout, injuries, and early specialization in sports, ensuring healthy fitness habits. While the bill is redundant--the council has existed for decades

Referenced legislation: HR9723, HR9723