Congress Celebrates Tomorrow’s Workforce Today | National App Challenge Day 2025 Recap
Congress Marks National App Challenge Day 2025 with Record Participation and New Milestones
On September 17, 2025, Congress and communities across the country marked the second annual National App Challenge Day. From Capitol Hill to local districts, Members of Congress, students, alumni, and partners came together to celebrate a decade of student innovation and to spotlight the future of American technology and democracy. Highlights included the launch of 25 for ‘25, CAC Alumni pitching at Congressional Hackathon 7.0, Members of Congress sharing support for the program on social media, and an #AskCAC interview with App Challenge Co-chairs Brett Guthrie and Kim Schrier.
Congress Joins the Celebration
On social media, Members from both sides of the aisle amplified the voices of student coders, celebrated their districts’ participation, and emphasized the importance of STEM education.
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Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) called the Challenge a “pipeline for Silicon Valley’s future innovators.”
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Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08) praised student coders as “democracy’s next problem-solvers.”
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Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) emphasized how the Challenge inspires “students from every background to see themselves in STEM.”
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Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) wrote that her district’s participants are “proof that coding belongs to everyone, not just big tech hubs.”
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Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) said the day shows “the House at its best: Republicans and Democrats uplifting student innovation together.”
From highlighting floor speeches recognizing young innovators to sharing district visits where Members met with students and teachers, the day showcased the broad coalition of Congressional support behind the program. The Congressional App Challenge isn’t a niche student competition, it’s a civic priority, championed at the highest levels of government.
25 for ’25: Celebrating a Decade of Student Innovation
The Congressional App Challenge, the U.S. House of Representatives’ official coding competition, today announced the launch of “25 for ’25”, a campaign celebrating 25 extraordinary young App Challenge alumni whose journeys since competing in the Challenge have redefined what’s possible for America’s next generation of technologists.
Since its founding in 2015, the Congressional App Challenge has grown into the nation’s largest student computer science competition. Over the past decade, more than 70,000 students have participated, submitting nearly 15,000 original applications to their Members of Congress. Today, as the CAC marks its tenth anniversary, the “25 for ’25” honorees exemplify the breadth, creativity, and impact of its alumni community.
CAC Alumni Innovators at Congressional Hackathon 7.0
At the U.S. Capitol, House Leadership invited the Congressional App Challenge to join Congressional Hackathon 7.0, where six outstanding alumni delivered lightning pitches on bold new ideas to improve Congress.
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BillTracer – Ruzanna Gaboyan & Philip Golczak: compares bill versions with redlines that surface key edits.
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CivicGraph – Henry Kwon: interactive mapping of legislative relationships and coalitions.
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CivicAccess – Dhanvin Ganeshkumar & Zoeb Izzi: voice- and gesture-powered accessibility layer for Congress.gov.
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AccessGov AI – Sanjay Ravishankar: AI-powered accessibility auditor for congressional websites and documents.
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Congress Wizard – Rishaan Desai: AI dashboard that consolidates news, legislative data, and social media into one streamlined view.
These projects proved that the next generation isn’t waiting to be asked—they are already building tools to make democracy more transparent, inclusive, and effective.
CAC Co-chairs Talk App Challenge
To close the celebration, Co-chairs Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08) reflected on the program’s growth and meaning.
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On student recognition: Guthrie spoke of honoring young talent, especially in rural communities, while Schrier emphasized the importance of creativity alongside technical skills in an AI-driven future.
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Why they lead: Schrier described being inspired by students in Washington state’s tech-rich communities; Guthrie recalled meeting former winners who went on to pursue PhDs, a testament to the program’s long-term impact.
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If they built apps: Guthrie imagined tools to deliver reliable, unbiased news and streamline constituent services. Schrier envisioned an everyday AI-powered app to preview home design choices.
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AI in Congress: Guthrie saw potential in AI-driven scheduling and time management, while Schrier envisioned AI helping government services work more efficiently, from Medicaid to SNAP.
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Advice for students: Both urged students to enter regardless of experience, stressing creativity, teamwork, and persistence.
Carrying the Mission Forward
National App Challenge Day 2025 was more than a commemoration, it was a call forward. From students coding bold new tools, to Members of Congress spotlighting their communities, to alumni already reshaping global industries, the day underscored the enduring mission of the Congressional App Challenge: to inspire the next generation of American technologists and strengthen democracy through innovation.