WASHINGTON – Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after the House passed the Stolen Valor Act of 2011 (H.R. 1775) with overwhelming bipartisan support:
“As a veteran and Major in the U.S. Army Reserve, I recognize that protecting the integrity and valor of American servicemembers who have distinguished themselves in defense of this nation is critically important. In consultation with the bill’s author, Dr. Joe Heck (NV-03), I was able to strengthen the Stolen Valor Act by adding a provision in the Judiciary Committee to ensure that the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart and other military awards are protected from fraud, and I applaud today’s bipartisan passage of the Stolen Valor Act.”
The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 made it a crime to lie about military service and awards, but it was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 28, 2012. Rep. Griffin’s amendment to Rep. Heck’s legislation included provisions to finely tailor the law in response to the Court’s decision, including: (1) requiring that there be a knowledge of falsity, (2) identifying the medals Congress is most interested in protecting, and (3) limiting the statute to those lies most likely to cause harm.
The bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 410-3.
