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Week Ending December 6, 2006

S.1998 A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to enhance protections relating to the reputation and meaning of the Medal of Honor and other military decorations and awards, and for other purposes.

The bill expands prohibitions against wearing, manufacturing or selling military decorations or medals without legal authorization. In this bill purchasing, soliciting, mailing, shipping, importing, exporting, producing blank certificates of receipt for, advertising, trading, bartering or exchanging the decorations and medals is prohibited without authorization.

It is also prohibited to falsely represent oneself as having been awarded the medals that are authorized by Congress for the military or for any other service medals, as well.

Violations would bring a fine and up to six months in jail or both.

If the violation involves a distinguished service cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, silver star of Purple Heart the penalties are increased to fines and up to one year in jail or both.

The amount of fine is not set in the bill, most often the decision is made by a federal court commission.

Sponsor: Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent September 11, 2006. Passed House by voice vote December 6, 2006.

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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MORE INFORMATION

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Fraudulent claims surrounding the receipt of the Medal of Honor, the distinguished-service cross, the Navy cross, the Air Force cross, the Purple Heart, and other decorations and medals awarded by the President or the Armed Forces of the United States damage the reputation and meaning of such decorations and medals.

(2) Federal law enforcement officers have limited ability to prosecute fraudulent claims of receipt of military decorations and medals.

(3) Legislative action is necessary to permit law enforcement officers to protect the reputation and meaning of military decorations and medals.

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