WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Ander Crenshaw, a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, voted to pass the Stolen Valor Act of 2012 (H.R. 1775) – legislation that punishes individuals who misrepresent their military service in order to profit. H.R. 1775 passed that House on September 13 and now moves to the United States Senate for consideration.

“Those who seek to benefit from misrepresenting their military record are wrong, cowardly, and disrespectful,” said Crenshaw. “The Stolen Valor Act of 2012 tightens earlier legislation recently overturned by the Supreme Court and punishes those who make fraudulent statements in order to receive an honor. The valor of servicemen and women who selflessly defend freedom deserves protection, and this legislation helps keep our true heroes in a category all their own.”

BACKGROUND:

The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 made it a crime to lie about military service and awards but was recently overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds that it infringed free speech. The newer version of the bill makes a key change by punishing individuals who misrepresent their military service in order to profit.

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