American Legion calls for Senate to pass new Stolen Valor Act

The American Legion is calling on the U.S. Senate to pass a new Stolen Valor Act, which would address areas that were previously ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The new Stolen Valor Act would make it a crime to profit from lies about military awards, as opposed to the previous law which criminalized the wearing of unearned medals.

“Last night the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a new Stolen Valor Act by a 390-3 vote. To have only three opponents in today’s divided environment speaks volumes as to how much the American people want this to become law. Delegates to The American Legion’s National Convention last August unanimously passed Resolution No. 27, which calls for passage of this legislation. I am calling on all of our members – in fact, all Americans who support America’s true military heroes – to contact their senators and tell them to join with Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada and pass his bill immediately,” said James E. Koutz, national commander of The American Legion. “The House of Representatives and, in particular, Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada, should be commended for their decisive action.”

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.