H.R. 452: Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act
Sponsor
Pete Stauber
Republican · MN-8
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Dec 12, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-53.
The Miracle on Ice team changed American hockey
Why it matters
34.2 million people watched the 1980 upset, and the bill's findings say U.S. hockey participation later grew from 136,000 to more than 564,000. H.R. 452 turns that legacy into a permanent Congressional Gold Medal tribute in three public locations.
H.R. 452 awards 3 Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team. According to the bill's findings, that team of amateur collegiate players beat the Soviet Union 4–3 on February 22, 1980, then beat Finland 4–2 to win America's first men's Olympic hockey gold since 1960.
This is a ceremonial bill, but it makes a broader case about impact. The bill's findings cite 34.2 million average TV viewers for the Soviet game, note that the Soviet team had won 4 straight Olympic gold medals dating back to 1964, and argue the upset helped lift American morale during the Cold War.
The bill also links that moment to the sport's long-term growth. Its findings say USA Hockey registrations climbed nearly 400%, from 136,000 in 1980 to more than 564,000, and that the number of U.S. NHL players rose from 72 in 1980 to 245 in 2024.
If enacted, the medals are not kept by Congress. One goes to the Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York, one to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota, and one to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, where each must be displayed and made available for research.
The Treasury Department designs and strikes the medals. It can also sell bronze duplicates, but the price has to cover production costs, with proceeds going back to the United States Mint fund that pays for the medals.
H.R. 452 Bill Summary
What H.R. 452 actually does.
Three public medals honor the 1980 team
H.R. 452 directs Congress to award 3 Congressional Gold Medals to recognize the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team and its Olympic run.
The medals go where fans can see them
One medal must go to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, one to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota, and one to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs. Each site must display the medal and make it available for research.
Congress ties the honor to one famous upset
The bill's findings center on Team USA's 4–3 win over the Soviet Union, a game the findings say drew 34.2 million average viewers and came against a team that had won 4 straight Olympic gold medals.
The bill argues the game changed the sport
According to the bill's findings, USA Hockey registrations rose from 136,000 to more than 564,000 after 1980, and U.S. NHL players increased from 72 in 1980 to 245 in 2024.
Treasury can sell bronze versions to the public
The Treasury Department may strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medals. The sale price must cover labor, materials, dies, machinery use, and overhead.
Mint funds cover the medal costs
The bill does not name a fixed dollar amount. Instead, it allows medal costs to be paid from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with duplicate-sales revenue deposited back into that fund.
Who benefits from H.R. 452?
The 20 players on the 1980 roster
Players including Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig, Mark Johnson, Neal Broten, and Phil Verchota receive one of Congress's highest symbolic honors for a team the bill says inspired generations.
Fans who still care about Lake Placid
Instead of keeping the tribute inside Washington, H.R. 452 places 3 medals in public-facing sports institutions where you can actually see them.
The museums and venues getting the medals
Lake Placid, the Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, and the Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs each gain a permanent artifact tied to one of America's best-known sports moments.
Researchers and hockey historians
The bill requires all 3 medals to be displayed and made available for research, creating new public artifacts connected to a game the bill says drew 34.2 million viewers.
Who is affected by H.R. 452?
The Treasury Department and U.S. Mint
Treasury has to design and strike the medals, and the Mint has to manage production costs and any duplicate-medal sales.
The three designated display sites
Each location takes on an ongoing duty to display its medal and make it available for research.
Collectors who want a version of the medal
You would not be buying one of the 3 gold medals. If Treasury offers bronze duplicates, those sales must be priced to fully cover production costs.
Congressional leadership
The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate are responsible for arranging the formal award on behalf of Congress.
What Congress Is Saying
H.R. 452 cleared both chambers and was presented to the President on Dec 1, 2025.
H.R. 452 also appeared in 1 more House floor reference and 21 routine cosponsor filings.
HR452 Legislative Journey
Signed into Law
Dec 12, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-53.
+3 more actions this day
Action Taken
Dec 1, 2025
Presented to President.
House: Vote Held
Sep 15, 2025
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
Action Taken
Sep 9, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed
Sep 8, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6439)
+4 more actions this day
Committee Action
Apr 29, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
House: Vote: 1633-1634
Apr 28, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1633-1634)
House: Committee Action
Jan 15, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
About the Sponsor
Pete Stauber
Republican, Minnesota's 8th congressional district · 7 years in Congress
Committees: Small Business, Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure
View full profile →
Cosponsors at time of passage (299)
This bill has 299 cosponsors: 107 Democrats, 193 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 48 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, and 45 more.
Lisa McClain
Republican · MI
Mike Quigley
Democrat · IL
William Keating
Democrat · MA
Warren Davidson
Republican · OH
Jeff Crank
Republican · CO
Ralph Norman
Republican · SC
Charles Fleischmann
Republican · TN
Mike Bost
Republican · IL
Julie Fedorchak
Republican · ND
Troy Nehls
Republican · TX
Brian Babin
Republican · TX
Ken Calvert
Republican · CA
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
0 of 24 committee members cosponsored at the time
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Financial Services Committee
39 of 53 committee members cosponsored at the time
H.R. 452 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Sports and Recreation
- Introduced
- Jan 15, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-53.
Dec 12, 2025
Official Sources
Official Congress.gov page for the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, including status, actions, text, and Public Law information.
Official GovInfo record for the enacted law version of H.R. 452.
Official U.S. Code chapter referenced by the bill for the legal status of the medals as national medals and numismatic items.
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H.R. 452 Common Questions
What does H.R. 452 do?
H.R. 452 awards 3 Congressional Gold Medals honoring the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team and places them in three public museums or sports sites.
Did H.R. 452 become law?
Yes. Congress.gov says H.R. 452 became Public Law 119-53 on December 12, 2025.
Where will the Miracle on Ice gold medals go?
One medal goes to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, one to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota, and one to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs.
Can you buy a Miracle on Ice medal?
Maybe. H.R. 452 allows Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates, but not the 3 gold medals. Any bronze version has to be priced to cover production costs.
Why does the bill say the 1980 team mattered so much?
The bill's findings say the Soviet game drew 34.2 million average viewers, came against a team with 4 straight Olympic golds, and helped inspire generations of U.S. hockey players.
What growth in hockey does the bill claim after Miracle on Ice?
The bill's findings say USA Hockey registrations rose from 136,000 in 1980 to more than 564,000, and U.S. NHL players increased from 72 in 1980 to 245 in 2024.
Who pays for the medals in H.R. 452?
The bill lets the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund cover the cost. It does not set a fixed dollar amount in the text.
Will the medals be public or kept in storage?
They must be public. H.R. 452 requires each medal to be displayed and made available for research at its designated location.
Based on H.R. 452 bill text
H.R. 452 Bill Text
“To award 3 Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics where, being comprised of amateur collegiate players, they defeated the dominant Soviet hockey team in the historic “Miracle on Ice”, revitalizing American morale at the height of the Cold War, inspiring generations and transforming the sport of hockey in the United States.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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