WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a bill making it a crime for people to falsely claim they have received a military medal in order to obtain money or government benefits. Under the legislation, which passed overwhelmingly and now goes to the Senate, offenders could face up to a year in jail.
The Stolen Valor Act attempts to revive a law on fraudulent claims to medals that was struck down by the Supreme Court last year. The court ruled that simply lying about a medal was protected by First Amendment rights.
The bill passed Monday narrows the focus to make it a crime to seek benefits, such as money or a job, by claiming to be a medal recipient.
