Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025
The Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025 would tighten penalties for lying about receiving military decorations or medals. Specifically, it increases the potential prison term from one year to three years for fraudulent misrepresentation related to (a) military decorations or medals in general, (b) the Congressional Medal of Honor, and (c) combat badges. In addition, the bill requires the Attorney General to conduct a study within 90 days to identify any monetary or government benefits obtained through such fraud, in coordination with the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other relevant agencies, and to report its findings and policy recommendations to Congress within 180 days. The short title of the bill is the “Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025.”
Key Points
- 1Increases penalties for fraudulent misrepresentation about receipt of a military decoration or medal from one year to three years for three categories: general military decorations or medals, Congressional Medal of Honor, and combat badges.
- 2Establishes a mandatory study within 90 days after enactment to identify any monetary or government benefits obtained through such fraud (as described in the relevant sections).
- 3Requires a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment detailing the study findings and policy recommendations.
- 4Amends specific sections of title 18, United States Code (704(b), 704(c)(1), 704(d)(1); includes references to 704(c)(2) and 704(d)).
- 5Named as the “Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025,” introduced in the House and referred to the Judiciary Committee.