H.R. 3914: Valor Has No Expiration Act

The bill titled the "Valor Has No Expiration Act" aims to allow military decorations or awards to be granted to individuals who served in the Armed Forces under specific circumstances, even if the request for the award was not submitted within the usual time limits due to classified or restricted records.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Waiver of Time Limitations: The bill states that if a decoration has not been awarded in a timely manner because related records were classified, withheld due to sensitivity, or redacted for national security reasons, it may still be awarded. This applies to decorations for service rendered while on active duty in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force from January 1, 1940, onwards.
• Process for Requesting Awards: Individuals can submit requests for consideration of these awards to the Secretary of their respective military department. The Secretary is then required to start reviewing the request within 30 days and to complete the review within one year.
• Review Procedures: The review process may follow existing procedures used for similar awards. There are stipulations that the delay in reviewing a request does not limit the authority to grant the decoration or affect the President's discretion to award a decoration.
• Reporting Obligations: Following the completion of a review, the Secretary must provide a report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. This report will summarize the review request, detail the findings, and document any recommendations regarding award procedures for military intelligence personnel.

Implications

This legislation is intended to provide recognition to service members who might have been overlooked for awards due to the nature of classified information. By removing the time limitations for certain decoration awards, it acknowledges the contributions of military personnel whose actions may have been shrouded in secrecy.

Relevant Companies

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