Legislative Update: Fit Future Act (H.R. 9723)
As we continue to monitor the 119th Congress for developments impacting physical activity, sports medicine, and national health initiatives, our focus turns to H.R. 9723, formally known as the Fit Future Act. Introduced on July 16, 2026, by Representative Ryan Mackenzie and co-sponsored by Representatives Greg Murphy and Jefferson Van Drew, this legislation seeks to statutorily establish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. The bill proposes replacing or updating prior executive directives with a formally mandated federal advisory body.
The Fit Future Act dictates that the newly authorized Council will consist of up to thirty members, appointed by the President for renewable two-year terms. To ensure structured leadership and interagency cooperation, the President is empowered to designate a Chair and Vice Chair, while also appointing an Executive Director to oversee day-to-day operations. The primary function of this advisory group is to counsel the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on strategies to accelerate national fitness progress. Chief among the Council’s legislative directives is the reestablishment and modernization of the Presidential Fitness Test, which will serve as the primary metric for a revitalized Presidential Fitness Award. Furthermore, the Council is tasked with promoting school-based fitness challenges, advancing initiatives that reward excellence in physical education, and setting ambitious youth fitness goals. A notable element of the bill is its explicit focus on the intersection of public health and national security, recognizing that combating childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles is essential for future workforce and military readiness. The Department of Health and Human Services is designated to provide the necessary funding and administrative backing, pending congressional appropriations.
The legislative progression for H.R. 9723 has been exceptionally rapid since its introduction in mid-July. Following its initial referral to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on July 16, 2026, the committee swiftly organized a mark-up session just days later. On July 21, 2026, after evaluating the bill’s framework the committee ordered the legislation to be reported, as amended, by a unanimous roll call vote of 33 to 0. This decisive advancement signals strong unified support for the Council’s expanded mission and the revitalization of youth fitness assessments.
Looking ahead, the unanimous committee approval sets a favorable stage for the next phases of the legislative process. The amended bill is now positioned to be formally reported out of committee and placed on the House legislative calendar for a potential full floor vote. Depending on the specifics of the amendments and the required federal funding mechanisms to support the Council and the Department of Health and Human Services’ administrative role, the bill may undergo additional procedural review before advancing to the Senate for consideration. Our continued advocacy will focus on ensuring that the final framework aligns with the ambitious public health goals outlined in the Fit Future Act, and we will keep the membership closely informed as the legislation approaches House floor consideration.
Senate Confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as New CDC Director
On August 5, the U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to confirm Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vote largely followed party lines and brings a permanent leader to the agency for the first time in nearly a year.
Dr. Schwartz brings extensive experience to the role, having served a 24-year career in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She previously served as the U.S. Deputy Surgeon General from 2019 to 2021 during the first Trump administration. Her background also includes serving as chief medical officer of the U.S. Coast Guard and working as an occupational medicine physician in the U.S. Navy.
The CDC directorship has experienced significant turnover and vacancies over the past year. Dr. Schwartz succeeds Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who had been serving in an interim capacity since February. The last permanent director, Dr. Susan Monarez, was ousted in August 2025 after less than a month in the position.
During her confirmation hearings, Dr. Schwartz faced questioning regarding her stance on scientific independence and vaccine policy, particularly in relation to the priorities of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. While some public health groups expressed concern over her responses to specific policy questions, she emphasized her commitment to scientific integrity.
“If confirmed, my first priority will be restoring trust in public health institutions through radical transparency and unwavering scientific integrity,” Dr. Schwartz stated during her July 15 hearing. “As CDC director, my sacred responsibility is to provide the American people with public health guidance that is clear, honest and evidence-based. I will never betray the science.”
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) will continue to monitor leadership developments at the CDC and HHS, particularly as they relate to physical activity guidelines, chronic disease prevention, and broader public health initiatives that impact our members and the communities they serve.
