---
kind: "section"
citation: "2 U.S.C. § 806"
title: "2"
title_heading: "The Congress"
number: "806"
heading: "Powers, functions, and limitations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/2/806"
units:
  - "Chapter 19 — Congressional Award Program"
  - "Subchapter I — Congressional Award Program"
---

# §806. Powers, functions, and limitations

- (a) **General operating and expenditure authority—** Subject to such limitations as may be provided for under this section, the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may take such actions and make such expenditures as may be necessary to carry out the Congressional Award Program, except that—
  - (1) the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall carry out its functions and make expenditures with—
    - (A) such resources as are available to the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) from sources other than the Federal Government; and
    - (B) funds awarded in any grant program administered by a Federal agency in accordance with the law establishing that grant program.
  - (2) the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall not take any actions which would disqualify the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) from treatment (for tax purposes) as an organization described in [section 501(c)(3) of title 26](/usc/26/501.md?p=c-3).
- (b) **Mandatory functions—**
  - (1) The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall establish such functions and procedures as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
  - (2) The functions established by the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall include—
    - (A) communication with local Congressional Award Councils concerning the Congressional Award Program;
    - (B) provision, upon the request of any local Congressional Award Council, of such technical assistance as may be necessary to assist such council with its responsibilities, including the provision of medals, the preparation and provision of applications, guidance on disposition of applications, arrangements with respect to local award ceremonies, and other responsibilities of such council;
    - (C) conduct of outreach activities to establish new local Congressional Award Councils, particularly in inner-city areas and rural areas;
    - (D) in addition to those activities authorized under [subparagraph (C)](#b-2-C), conduct of outreach activities to encourage, where appropriate, the establishment and development of Statewide Congressional Award Councils;
    - (E) fundraising;
    - (F) conduct of an annual Gold Medal Awards ceremony in the District of Columbia;
    - (G) consideration of implementation of the provisions of this chapter relating to scholarships; and
    - (H) carrying out of duties relating to management of the national office of the Congressional Award Program, including supervision of office personnel and of the office budget.
- (c) **Statewide Congressional Award Councils; establishment, purposes, duties, etc.**
  - (1) In carrying out its functions with respect to Statewide Congressional Award Councils (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as Statewide Councils) under [subsection (b)](#b), the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall develop guidelines, criteria, and standards for the formation of Statewide Councils. In order to create a Statewide Council, [Members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) of Congress and Senators from each respective [State](/usc/2/4556.md?p=1) are encouraged to work jointly with the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2).
  - (2) The establishment of Statewide Councils is intended to—
    - (A) facilitate expanded public participation and involvement in the program; and
    - (B) promote greater opportunities for involvement by [members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) of the [State](/usc/2/4556.md?p=1) congressional delegation.
  - (3) The duties and responsibilities of each Statewide Council established pursuant to this section shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
    - (A) promoting [State](/usc/2/4556.md?p=1) and local awareness of the Congressional Award Program;
    - (B) review of participant records and activities;
    - (C) review and verification of information on, and recommendation of, candidates to the national [board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) for approval;
    - (D) planning and organization of bronze and silver award ceremonies;
    - (E) assisting gold award recipients with travel to and from the national gold award ceremony; and
    - (F) designation of a Statewide coordinator to serve as a liaison between the [State](/usc/2/4556.md?p=1) and local [boards](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) and the national [board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2).
  - (4) Each Statewide Council established under this section may receive contributions, and use such contributions for the purposes of the Program. The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall adopt appropriate financial management methods in order to ensure the proper accounting of these funds. Each Statewide Council shall comply with subsections [(a)](#a), [(d)](#d), [(e)](#e), and [(h)](#h) governing the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2).
  - (5) Each Statewide Council established pursuant to this section shall comply with the standard charter requirements of the national [board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) of directors.
- (d) **Contracting authority—** The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may enter into and perform such contracts as may be appropriate to carry out its business, but the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may not enter into any contract which would obligate the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) to expend an amount greater than the amount available to the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) for the purpose of such contract during the fiscal year in which the expenditure is to be made.
- (e) **Obtaining and acceptance of non-Federal funds and resources; indirect resources—**
  - (1) Subject to the provisions of [paragraph (2)](#e-2), the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may seek and accept funds and other resources to carry out its activities. The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may not accept any funds or other resources which are—
    - (A) donated with a restriction on their use unless such restriction merely provides that such funds or other resources be used in furtherance of the Congressional Award Program or a specific regional or local program or for scholarships; and
    - (B) donated subject to the condition that the identity of the donor of the funds or resources shall remain anonymous.

    The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may permit donors to use the name of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) or the name “Congressional Award Program” in advertising.

  - (2) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may not receive any Federal funds or resources. The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may benefit from in-kind and indirect resources provided by Offices of [Members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) of Congress or the Congress. Further, the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) is not prohibited from receiving indirect benefits from efforts or activities undertaken in collaboration with entities which receive Federal funds or resources.
- (f) **Acceptance and utilization of services of voluntary, uncompensated personnel—** The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may accept and utilize the services of voluntary, uncompensated personnel.
- (g) **Lease, etc., of real or personal property—** The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) may lease (or otherwise hold), acquire, or dispose of real or personal property necessary for, or relating to, the duties of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2).
- (h) **Fiscal authority—** The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall have no power—
  - (1) to issue bonds, notes, debentures, or other similar obligations creating long-term indebtedness;
  - (2) to issue any share of stock or to declare or pay any dividends; or
  - (3) to provide for any part of the income or assets of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) to inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or [employee](/usc/2/4558.md?p=2) of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) except as reasonable compensation for services or reimbursement for expenses.
- (i) **Congressional Award Foundation—**
  - (1) The [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) shall provide for the incorporation of a nonprofit corporation to be known as the Congressional Award Foundation (together with any subsidiary nonprofit corporations determined desirable by the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2), collectively referred to in this subchapter as the “Corporation”) for the sole purpose of assisting the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) to carry out the Congressional Award Program, and shall delegate to the Corporation such duties as it considers appropriate, including the employment of personnel, expenditure of funds, and the incurrence of financial or other contractual obligations.
  - (2) The articles of incorporation of the Congressional Award Foundation shall provide that—
    - (A) the [members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2) of Directors of the Foundation shall be the [members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2), with up to 24 additional voting [members](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2) appointed by the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2), and the Director who shall serve as a nonvoting [member](/usc/2/4556.md?p=2); and
    - (B) the extent of the authority of the Foundation shall be the same as that of the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2).
  - (3) No director, officer, or [employee](/usc/2/4558.md?p=2) of any corporation established under this subsection may receive compensation, travel expenses, or benefits from both the Corporation and the [Board](/usc/2/179u.md?p=2).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–114, title I, § 106, formerly § 7, Nov. 16, 1979, 93 Stat. 854; Pub. L. 99–161, § 4(f), Nov. 25, 1985, 99 Stat. 935; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100–674, § 2(c), Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 3996; Pub. L. 101–525, § 7, Nov. 6, 1990, 104 Stat. 2306; renumbered title I, § 106, Pub. L. 106–533, § 1(b)(1), (2), Nov. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 2553; Pub. L. 111–200, § 2(d)–(g), July 7, 2010, 124 Stat. 1369.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2010—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–200, § 2(d), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “the Board shall carry out its functions and make expenditures with only such resources as are available to the Board from sources other than the Federal Government; and”.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 111–200, § 2(e), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “Each Statewide Council established pursuant to this section is authorized to receive public monetary and in-kind contributions, which may be made available to local boards to supplement or defray operating expenses. The Board shall adopt appropriate financial management methods in order to ensure the proper accounting of these funds.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–200, § 2(f)(1), inserted “to be” after “expenditure is”.

Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–200, § 2(f)(2), inserted “or for scholarships” after “local program”.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111–200, § 2(g), added subsec. (i) and struck out former subsec. (i) which read as follows:

“(1) The Board shall provide for the establishment of a private nonprofit corporation for the sole purpose of assisting the Board to carry out the Congressional Award Program, and shall delegate to the corporation such duties as it considers appropriate.

“(2) The articles of incorporation of the corporation established under this subsection shall provide that—

“(A) the members of the Board of Directors of the corporation shall be the members of the Board, and the Director of the corporation shall be the Director of the Board; and

“(B) the extent of the authority of the corporation shall be the same as that of the Board.

“(3) No director, officer, or employee of any corporation established under this subsection may receive compensation, travel expenses, or benefits from both the corporation and the Board.”

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–525, § 7(a), which directed the insertion of “(a)” after the section designation, was not executed in view of existing subsec. (a) designation.

Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 101–525, § 7(b)(1)(A), substituted “conduct” for “conducting” and struck out “State and” after “new”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(D), (E). Pub. L. 101–525, § 7(b)(1)(B), added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).

Subsec. (b)(2)(F). Pub. L. 101–525, § 7(b)(1)(B), (C), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F) and substituted “conduct” for “conducting”. Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).

Subsec. (b)(2)(G), (H). Pub. L. 101–525, § 7(b)(1)(B), redesignated subpars. (F) and (G) as (G) and (H), respectively.

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 101–525, § 7(b)(2), added subsec. (c). Former subsecs. (c) and (d) redesignated (d) and (e), respectively.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–525, § 7(b)(2), (c), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: “The Board may seek and accept, from sources other than the Federal Government, funds and other resources to carry out its activities. The Board may not accept any funds or other resources which are—

“(1) donated with a restriction on their use unless such restriction merely provides that such funds or other resources be used in furtherance of the Congressional Award Program; or

“(2) donated subject to the condition that the identity of the donor of the funds or resources shall remain anonymous.

The Board may permit donors to use the name of the Board or the name ‘Congressional Award Program’ in advertising.” Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsecs. (f) to (i). Pub. L. 101–525, § 7(b)(2), redesignated subsecs. (e) to (h) as (f) to (i), respectively.

1988—Pub. L. 100–674, § 2(c)(1), substituted “Powers, functions, and limitations” for “Powers and limitations of Board” in section catchline.

Subsecs. (b) to (h). Pub. L. 100–674, § 2(c)(2), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) to (g) as (c) to (h), respectively.

1986—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.

1985—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–161 inserted at end “The Board may permit donors to use the name of the Board or the name ‘Congressional Award Program’ in advertising.”