Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019
Floor Speech
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Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be on the floor this evening, but I am here to discuss a significantly tragic issue that affects way too many Americans all across our country--certainly at home in Kansas--and that is the lack of treatment for mental health conditions and, in many instances, the consequence that comes from that--suicide.
Sadly, veterans in particular face risks for suicide, and, unfortunately, COVID-19 has increased the problem. Veterans have a higher rate of suicide and mental health issues than people who have not served in our armed services.
We know there is not a single explanation or reason for suicide, and there is no single treatment for prevention strategy. One veteran lost to suicide is one too many, and, of course, we all have the obligation to help those who have served our Nation--those who fought bravely for our country--to help fix this tragedy.
Every day that we fail to act is another day we lose another 20 veterans to suicide. They need our help.
I want to highlight one veteran who fought a battle with his mental health condition, CDR John Scott Hannon. Commander Hannon was a decorated Navy SEAL. I met his family through the Senator from Montana, Mr. Tester. He, like every other veteran, was more than just what his service record would show. His family and friends remember him as a passionate mental health advocate for veterans. He tried to help other veterans who faced the same challenges that he did. They say he had a gentle heart and a fierce belief in taking actions to tackle big challenges.
Sadly, Commander Hannon lost his fight with post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorder, and the effects of a traumatic brain injury. He lost that fight in February 2018. He now lives on in the memories of his friends and family, and when S. 785 becomes law--the namesake of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act--he will be remembered even more--more by other Americans than his family and friends.
I am proud to lead this effort in passage of this legislation, in its development, its creation, in the studies and efforts, the conversations that went on with my colleagues in the Senate, our colleagues in the Veterans' Affairs Committee, the veterans service organizations, and his family. I am proud to lead that effort with the Senator from Montana, the Senator who represents Commander Hannon's family.
For several months now, our committee has been working closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the White House to improve upon and advance S. 785. This bill will make necessary investments in suicide prevention. It will improve and support innovative research. It will make improvements and increase the availability of mental health care
This bill establishes a grant program championed by Mr. Boozman, the Senator from Arkansas. The VA will be required to better collaborate with community organizations across the country, serving veterans.
Senator Tester, Senator Boozman, and I come from rural States, and it is hard to find the services where they are necessary. If we can allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to deal with local organizations, we have a better chance of fighting suicide.
This legislation represents a team effort. I appreciate Secretary Wilkie, David Ballenger, Cathy Haverstock, and Chris Anderson for their help and commitment in addressing mental health services.
President Trump and his support for veterans is well recognized. The Second Lady, Karen Pence, has also been a long-time advocate for veterans' mental health, and I appreciate our conversations on this important topic. The staff at the White House and at the Domestic Policy Council--Joe Grogan, Brooke Rollins, James Baehr, and Virginia McMillin--deserve recognition as well.
The Senate VA committee is known for its spirit of bipartisanship, and I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their input on this important legislation. Along with the lead sponsor of this legislation, Senator Tester, and the efforts I mentioned of Senator Boozman, I would recognize Senator Sullivan, Senator Tillis, Senator Cassidy, Senator Rounds, Senator Cramer--the Presiding Officer this evening--Senator Loeffler, Senator Blackburn, Senator McSally, and Senator Kaine for their substantive contributions to several primary sections of this bill.
These contributions by our colleagues range from studies on overmedication and suicidality, the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on PTSD and TBI, a pilot program for post-traumatic growth, and many provisions that will provide more direct oversight of the VA to ensure the Department is equipped to better serve veterans.
As a result, this bipartisan legislation has 51 cosponsors, and it received a unanimous 17-to-0 vote in the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs earlier this year, and today is the time we will pass this measure out of the Senate.
I am calling on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do our part to make certain that every veteran has access to the lifesaving care and support they need. We need to ensure that every VA medical center is equipped with the proper personnel, evidence-based treatment options, and the best research-informed care to fit the needs of each veteran who walks through its doors.
For veterans and servicemembers like CDR John Scott Hannon, we, in Congress, have the opportunity to take action to help them know they don't have to struggle alone. Our legislation will help connect these veterans and servicemembers to more resources and provide them with the tools they need to address the challenges related to their service.
To my colleagues, we have a significant role and responsibility to combat this struggle, and here today we can do our part to make certain that, in their struggles, our veterans are equipped with the care and services they need to be successful, to win. We must take real and urgent action to tackle the challenges together. Additional Cosponsor to S. 785.
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Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I also ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 498, S. 785.
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Mr. MORAN. I know of no further debate on the bill, as amended.
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Mr. MORAN. Thank you for that. I now ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
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Mr. MORAN. I yield to the Senator from Montana for his conversation and discussion about this legislation.
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Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, let me extend the courtesies that were extended to me by the Senator from Montana, Mr. Tester.
It has been a privilege to work with him on this and many other issues--many of them related to our Nation's service men and women and those who served and are now veterans.
I appreciate that Senator Tester and I have the ability to work together to resolve differences and find common ground for the benefit of those who have served.
Before I conclude my comments this evening, I would use this as a moment--on behalf of the Presiding Officer, on behalf of Senator Tester and me, and on behalf of all Members of the U.S. Senate--to express our gratitude to all who have served our country and express our respects and honor for those who are no longer with us, who, because of those battle wounds, have lost their lives to suicide.
We express our condolences and sympathies to their family members and to their friends, and, in each and every instance, we recognize what sacrifice they have made for the benefit of each and every one of us here today and across the country.
I would say to those family members that this legislation--we hope-- and the example that their loved ones demonstrated in their lives will be something that will inspire us to do the right thing and care for those who served. So I express my condolence and sympathies to the families, and I thank all who served, and I do so on behalf of all Members of the U.S. Senate.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't thank the many dedicated staff members who helped this legislation through to this point: Emily Blair, who is with us on the Senate floor tonight, Tiffanii Woolfolk, Mark Crowley, Asher Allman, Scott Nulty, Pat McGuigan, David Shearman, and Caroline Canfield.
In addition, thank you to Senator Tester's staff: Sophie Friedl, Dahlia Melendrez, and Tony McClain, the Kansan, as well as the House Veterans' Affairs Committee staff members.
Suicide is preventable, and with the passage of Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act tonight--here, moments ago--we take a stand to protect the lives of the people who have given us so much in their protection of each and every American.
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