Valor Has No Expiration Act

This bill, called the Valor Has No Expiration Act, lets the military award medals that were missed in the past because the records were secret or restricted. It covers people who served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force since January 1, 1940, if the service was tied to records that were classified, withheld, or redacted for national security.

When someone asks for an award to be considered, the military must start reviewing the request within 30 days and try to finish within one year. If the review takes longer, it does not block giving the award. For top-level awards, the President can still award the decoration even if a military department recommends against it. After each review, a report goes to Congress, and for certain high awards (like the Medal of Honor) additional reporting rules apply, including involvement by the Secretary of Defense and the President.

Key points

• Who is affected: Former or current service members whose actions weren’t recognized on time because their records were classified or otherwise restricted.
• What changes: Time limits are waived for these awards; reviews must start within 30 days and aim to finish within a year; reports are required after reviews; the President may still award certain decorations even after a negative recommendation.
• When it applies: Service on or after January 1, 1940, tied to classified or restricted records.