House Passes New "Stolen Valor" Bill

In response to Supreme Court decision, those who lie about military record must be attempting to commit fraud

The U.S. House passed a bill that would make it a crime to seek to gain by lying about receiving military honors.

The measure, which passed with bipartisan support, 410-3, is intended to replace the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 that the Supreme Court struck down this year on free-speech grounds, ruling that people can't be prosecuted for lying about receiving a military medal.

Nevada Republican Joe Heck, the bill's sponsor, said last month that the measure would be constitutional because it narrows the scope by focusing on the fraud aspect. Violators would be subject to a fine, imprisonment for as long as a year, or both, according to the bill.