Fake Valor Gets Real Time: New Bill Cracks Down on Stolen Military Honors with Up to 3 Years in Prison

The "Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025" isn't playing around with military সম্মান. This new bill directly targets anyone falsely claiming to have earned military medals or decorations, like the Medal of Honor or combat badges, and significantly ramps up the consequences.

Cranking Up the Penalties

This law triples the maximum prison sentence for those caught faking military honors. Previously, the maximum sentence was capped at one year. Now, under Section 2 of this Act, misrepresenting receipt of any military decoration or medal, including the Congressional Medal of Honor and combat badges, can land someone in prison for up to three years. This is a big jump, showing a commitment to protecting the integrity of these awards.

Real-World Impact

Imagine a local business owner who never served getting preferential treatment or contracts because they falsely claim to be a decorated war hero. This bill aims to stop that. It's not just about the medals; it's about the benefits—financial, social, and otherwise—that come with them. This impacts everyone from veterans who truly earned their honors to taxpayers whose money might be going to fraudulent claims.

Beyond Jail Time: Tracking the Money

But the bill goes beyond just increasing prison time. Within 90 days of the law's enactment, the Attorney General, working with the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, has to kick off a study. Their mission? To identify exactly how much money or how many government benefits have been wrongly obtained through these fake claims of valor. This includes looking at things like VA loans, preferential hiring programs, and any other perks tied to military service. The Attorney General then has 180 days to report back to Congress with the findings and suggest ways to fix the problem (Section 2).

Protecting the Real Heroes

This bill sends a clear message: falsely claiming military honors to gain an unfair advantage isn't just wrong, it's a serious crime with serious consequences. While the increased penalties might not stop every instance of stolen valor, the mandated study and reporting requirements show a commitment to understanding the scope of the problem and finding solutions. This ensures that the true recipients of these honors are recognized, and that programs designed to help veterans aren't exploited.