Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-327
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24]
Introduced: 2025-01-09
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Congressional tributes

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Government studies and investigations

Military history
Latest action: action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-01-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill increases the maximum prison term—from one year to three years—for an individual who falsely claims to be the recipient of certain military awards (e.g., a Medal of Honor or Purple Heart) with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit.</p>

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 327 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 9, 2025 Ms. Van Duyne (for herself, Mr. Dunn of Florida , Mr. McCormick , Mr. Valadao , and Mrs. Luna ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 18, United States Code, to increase the penalty for fraudulent misrepresentation about the receipt of a military decoration or medal, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025 . 2. Fraudulent misrepresentation about receipt of a military medal or decoration (a) Increased penalty (1) Military Decorations or Medals Section 704(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking one year and inserting three years . (2) Congressional Medal of Honor Section 704(c)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking 1 year and inserting three years . (3) Combat badge Section 704(d)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking 1 year and inserting three years . (b) Study Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in coordination with the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs and such other agency head as may be relevant, shall conduct a study to identify any monetary or government benefits obtained through a fraudulent misrepresentation about the receipt of a military decoration or medal as described by section 704(c)(2) or 704(d) of title 18, United States Code. (c) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall report to Congress on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (b) and policy recommendations to resolve issues identified in the study.