Valor Has No Expiration Act
Sponsored By: Representative Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
Introduced
Summary
Allows awarding military decorations that were delayed because records were classified by clearing time limits and creating a specific review process.
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- Veterans and families: Would allow medals or devices to be awarded for active duty service back to January 1, 1940 when records were classified, withheld, or redacted for national security, even if original recommendation deadlines passed.
- Military departments: Each Secretary would have to start a review within 30 days of a request and finish it within one year, and may use existing award-review procedures to carry out the review.
- Decision and reporting rules: A Secretary's recommendation not to award would not stop the President from awarding a decoration. Secretaries must submit a report to the Armed Services committees within 30 days after completing a review, and the Secretary of Defense must submit reports for Medal of Honor reviews.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Medal reviews for veterans with classified records
If enacted, this would let past-due medal requests be reviewed when records were classified or withheld. It would cover active-duty service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force on or after January 1, 1940. You could ask your service Secretary to review an authorized decoration. The Secretary would have to start within 30 days and finish within one year, but a late review would not block an award. If the President can award the medal, a "no" from a Secretary would not stop the President. Within 30 days after finishing a review, the Department would send a report to Congress, and for Medal of Honor cases the Secretary of Defense would report.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Cosponsors
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov