H.R.3914 - Valor Has No Expiration Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3914, the "Valor Has No Expiration Act," directs the Secretaries of the military departments to review requests for awarding decorations that were not timely due to classified or restricted records. The bill amends Title 10 of the United States Code, waiving time limitations for awarding decorations to individuals who served on active duty from January 1, 1940, onwards. It mandates that reviews begin within 30 days of receiving a request and be completed within one year.
Expected Effects
This bill will likely result in more veterans receiving long-overdue recognition for their service. It establishes a process for reviewing previously delayed award requests. The bill also requires reports to be submitted to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives, increasing transparency.
Potential Benefits
- Provides a pathway for veterans to receive decorations that were previously unattainable due to classified records.
- Ensures timely review of award requests by setting specific deadlines for the Secretaries of military departments.
- Increases transparency through mandatory reporting to Congress.
- Corrects historical oversights in recognizing military service.
- Potentially boosts morale among veterans and active-duty personnel.
Potential Disadvantages
- May create an administrative burden on the military departments to review numerous past requests.
- Could lead to inconsistencies in award criteria if not carefully managed.
- Potential for increased costs associated with the review process and awarding of decorations.
- Possible legal challenges if some requests are approved while others are denied.
- The one-year review period might still be too long for some applicants.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the constitutional power granted to Congress to raise and support armies (Article I, Section 8). It also supports the principle of honoring military service, which can be seen as promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).