U.S. House Approves David Young's Veterans Crisis Line Legislation

Press Release

Late today, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved Iowa Congressman David Young's bipartisan legislation, the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act (H.R. 5392), by a vote of 357-0.

Congressman Young's legislation seeks to provide necessary responsiveness and performance improvements to the Veterans Crisis Line, which is the confidential, toll free hotline for veterans seeking suicide prevention and crisis resources help from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responders.

"Our veterans, who have made such significant sacrifices on behalf of our nation and in defense of our freedoms, deserve quality mental health care resources which are accessible and responsive," Congressman Young said. "There is absolutely no excuse for a veteran to contact the Veterans Crisis Line and not get the help they are seeking. Our veterans deserve better, which is why I have put forth this important bipartisan legislation to make critical fixes to the Veterans Crisis Line - fixes it clearly needs. I thank my colleagues for working with me to advance this bill and put our veterans first."

Prior to the passage of the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act, Congressman Young spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about the importance of the legislation. Click here or on the image to watch Congressman Young's remarks:

South Dakota Senator John Thune introduced companion legislation to Congressman Young's No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act in U.S. Senate where it awaits consideration by that chamber.

The No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act directs the VA Secretary to:

Create a quality assurance process outlining performance indicators and objectives to address responsiveness and performance of the Veterans Crisis Line and backup call centers, and a timeline noting when objectives will be reached.

Develop a plan to ensure any communication to the Veterans Crisis Line or backup call center is answered in a timely manner by a person in accordance with the guidance established by the American Association of Suicidology.

Submit the plan to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate within 180 days of the legislation's enactment.

More about the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act:

September 21, 2016 - Congressman Young's No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act was approved in a markup by the full U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee.

September 14, 2016 - Congressman Young urges his colleagues to support the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

September 8, 2016 - South Dakota Senator John Thune introduces companion legislation to Congressman Young's No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act.

September 1, 2016 - Congressman Young sends a letter to VA Secretary McDonald highlighting continued problems with the Veterans Crisis Line.

June 28, 2016 - Congressman Young reacts to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report finding approximately 30 percent of text messages sent as tests to the Veterans Crisis Line went unanswered.
June 23, 2016 - Congressman Young testifies before the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee on the importance of the legislation.

June 7, 2016 - Congressman Young introduces the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act in response to concerns voiced by Iowa veterans about unanswered calls, emails or other communications, and failed attempts to receive help from the Veterans Crisis Line.

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