House makes lying about military service a crime

AP Photo

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - Those who lie about military service or make false claims about receiving military medals with the intent of benefiting from those claims would be committing a crime under legislation passed by the House Wednesday.

The House's 410-3 vote on what is known as the Stolen Valor Act came less than three months after the Supreme Court struck down the original act on the grounds that it violated First Amendment free speech rights.

The new bill attempts to get around the court ruling by making clear that it applies only in cases where people lie about a military record with the aim of obtaining payment or other benefits.

"Defining the intent helps ensure that this law will pass constitutional scrutiny while at the same time achieving its primary objective, which is to preserve and protect the honor and integrity of military service and awards," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev.

Supreme Court strikes down Stolen Valor law
Should lying about military medals be a crime?

The bill states that those who misrepresent their military service with the intent of receiving something of value would be subject to up to one year in prison. Following the lines of the court ruling, it exempts from punishment those who simply wear military medals or decorations that do not belong to them.

The Supreme Court, in its 6-3 decision overturning the 2006 Stolen Valor Act in June, ruled that while lying about receiving military awards might be contemptible, it was protected by the First Amendment. Several justices, however, also noted that it was established that the government could restrict speech if it involved false claims made to obtain money or other benefits.

Even before the 2006 act, enacted at the height of the fighting in Iraq, it was a federal crime to wear unearned medals. But there was no law banning claims of being decorated.

Dozens of people had been prosecuted under the Stolen Valor ACT before it was struck down, CBS News correspondent Chip Reid reported in February. (See full report at left).

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, speaking at a House hearing a month after the court ruling, said the Pentagon was launching a new website listing the names of those who had received the Medal of Honor since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He said the website could be expanded to include other recipients of military valor awards and medals.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., has introduced a companion bill.

"We cannot allow thieves and fraudsters to profit by falsely claiming the distinctions our heroes have earned," Brown said in a statement. "I will continue working in a bipartisan way to see this bill through the Senate."

[sjc_1]

I guess a REAL jobs bill would be too much to ask from the House Tea Party people, so we have to have "feel good" stuff like this.

[walkthetalk]

JOBS BILL is DOA! WE can't afford any more Workers on the Tax Payers backs. JOBS! have to come from the Private Sector. You don't believe this. The small Country Cuba, laid off 250 thousand Government workers last year. They said that the same number of federal employees would terminated again this year. Teachers, Police, Firefighters, etc. Doesn't make they economy grow and will only exacerbate the problem. Private Sector Jobs, is the only thing that will improve the economy.

[AOCGUY]

As pathetic and despicable as it is for these POS to pose as something they are not this legislation is nothing but feel good crap. To quote from an excellent article in the Aug issue of the Air Force Magazine

"...valor is earned, it is permanent, and it cannot be stolen."

[DigoPogo]

Good, I'm tired of hearing delusional stories of heroism.

[kbbpll]

GW Bush could easily be prosecuted under this law.

[Colt4542]

Panetta: "...said the Pentagon was launching a new website listing the names of those who had received the Medal of Honor since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks." There should be an official web site for ALL medal winners with no past time limit. Our heroes deserve recognition for service. And it would be easier for anyone interested to verify a medal claimant's truth or fiction.

[dj1943]

I am a 10 year vet and if peeps want to lie, so be it. One cannot obtain a job or benefits on a lie. They check.

[jwilsonte5]

arent reps cutting police jobs is this going to be a top priorty for our courts !!that cant proscute killers

[jwilsonte5]

I have a idea with our country in a finanical mess why dont we vote on real problems or lets get a law that makes it a crime for our leader in congress and senate to lie are you kidding they dont have time to bring JOBS bill up but they have time for this LOL ...

[formerlyluvnut]

Good!

[OnTheRoad01]

Can we charge our politicans for not telling the truth? They lie all the time for money!!!!