No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I introduced the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act, H.R. 5392, a bipartisan piece of legislation, doing this after hearing from a constituent who called the Veterans Crisis Line for help but never was connected to a live person. Though I have spoken on the floor about this issue before, as well as others, I remain deeply concerned with the many struggles and challenges our veterans face as they transition from Active Duty to civilian life and beyond.

These are brave women and men who have sacrificed much in service to their country. Now, our servicemembers have given up holidays, missed birthdays, weddings, and other important life events of their family members, communities, and friends. They have been mobilized or deployed to some of the most volatile regions of the world for months on end, and the list goes on. They are our friends, family, and neighbors, and they make significant sacrifices because they believe in this great Nation and strive to protect the freedoms we have guaranteed.

Now, unfortunately, more and more veterans carry deep scars-- emotional war wounds--ones we cannot see. These men and women deserve our support. Now, our country has a responsibility to ensure our brave veterans not only have the benefits that they have earned, but have access to services and resources intended to help them through the storms of life.

Mr. Speaker, it is hard for anyone to ask for help sometimes, and the sad fact is today and every day this week, 20 veterans will take their lives. So it is unacceptable for any veteran who is reaching out for help and a listening ear to be turned away unanswered, especially when help may mean the difference between life and death. That is why I introduced, with bipartisan support from my colleagues, legislation to make critical improvements to the Veterans Crisis Line.

This bipartisan bill requires the VA to create and implement documented plans to improve responsiveness and performance of the crisis line--an important step to ensure our veterans have unimpeded access to the mental health resources that they need.

Even the VA has acknowledged these problems, which were also documented in two separate investigations conducted by the VA Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office. This bill drives accountability within the Veterans Crisis Line, ensuring any call or text or messages are answered, and ensuring the quality processes, including those guiding staff training, are addressed and provided to Congress.

Our men and women in uniform have answered our Nation's call, and we must work to do better and ensure their calls do not go unanswered.

Mr. Speaker, I want to especially thank Chairman Miller and his staff for working so closely with me on this bill. It is a pleasure serving with him, and his leadership on these issues will be missed in his retirement.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It is only fitting that we pass this bill today to help our veterans.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source