Stolen Valor Act of 2013

:This summary is based largely on the summary provided by the Congressional Research Service, a public domain source.{{cite web |title=H.R. 258 – Summary |url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/258 |publisher=United States Congress |accessdate=June 6, 2013}}

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both for an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds themself out to be a recipient of:

• Medal of Honor
• Distinguished Service Cross
• Navy Cross
• Air Force Cross
• Silver Star
• Purple Heart
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Combat Infantryman's Badge
• Combat Action Badge
• Combat Medical Badge
• Combat Action Medal
• Or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law.

{{cbo summary}}{{cite web |title=CBO H.R. 258 |date=March 19, 2013 |url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/44004 |publisher=Congressional Budget Office |accessdate=June 6, 2013}}

H.R. 258 makes changes to the current federal offenses relating to fraudulent claims about military service. As a result, the government might be able to pursue cases that it otherwise would not be able to prosecute. CBO expects that H.R. 258 would apply to a relatively small number of additional offenders, however, so any increase in costs for law enforcement, court proceedings, or prison operations would not be significant. Any such costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Because those prosecuted and convicted under H.R. 258 could be subject to civil and criminal fines, the federal government might collect additional fines if the legislation is enacted. Civil and criminal fines are recorded as revenues. Criminal fines are deposited in the Crime Victims Fund and later spent. CBO expects that any additional revenues and direct spending would not be significant because relatively few cases would likely be affected.{{update inline|date=January 2023}}

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 {{USBill|113|H.R.|258}} was introduced by Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) on January 15, 2013.{{cite web |title=H.R. 258 – All Actions |url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/258/all-actions/ |publisher=United States Congress |accessdate=June 6, 2013}} It was referred to the United States House Committee on the Judiciary and the United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations.{{cite web |title=H.R. 258 – Committees |url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/258/committees |publisher=United States Congress |accessdate=June 6, 2013}} On May 20, 2013, the House voted to pass the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 by 390–3 in [http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll161.xml Roll Call Vote 161].

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 was received in the United States Senate on May 21, 2013. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent on May 22, 2013.

The bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama on June 3, 2013.

Justice Anthony Kennedy's opinion in United States v. Alvarez cited that "a Government-created database" is "at least one less speech-restrictive means by which the Government could likely protect the integrity of the military award system." In his view, "were a database accessible through the Internet, it would be easy to verify and expose false claims."{{cite web | url=https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/567/709/#tab-opinion-1970529 | title=United States v. Alvarez, 567 U.S. 709 (2012) }} In response, President Obama announced the creation of U.S. Military Awards for Valor in July 2012, saying "this week, we will launch a new website, a living memorial, so the American people can see who's been awarded our nation's highest honors . . . because no American hero should ever have their valor stolen."{{cite web | url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/120683-dod-unveils-stolen-valor-database/ | title=DOD unveils 'Stolen Valor' database | date=July 25, 2012 }} This database and the 2013 revision of the Stolen Valor Act were the Obama administration's dual response to the Alvarez case.

• List of bills in the 113th United States Congress
• List of acts of the 113th United States Congress
• Awards and decorations of the United States military
• Mitchell Paige, Medal of Honor recipient who later tracked imposters
• Stolen Valor, book by B. G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley chronicling phony Vietnam veterans.
• Don Shipley, retired Navy SEAL who exposes fraudulent claims of military service

{{reflist}}

{{wikisource|Stolen Valor Act of 2013 (H.R. 258; 113th Congress)}}

• [http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.113hr258 Library of Congress – Thomas H.R. 258]
• [http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/258 beta.congress.gov H.R. 258]
• [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr258 GovTrack.us H.R. 258]
• [https://www.opencongress.org/bill/113-h258/show OpenCongress.org H.R. 258]
• [http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/113_HR_258.html WashingtonWatch.com H.R. 258]
• [https://www.gop.gov/bill/113/1/hr258 House Republicans' report on H.R. 258]
• [http://www.cbo.gov/publication/44004 Congressional Budget Office's report on H.R. 258]

{{US government sources}}

Category:Acts of the 113th United States Congress

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States