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Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Date: May 11, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2981, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021, introduced by Representatives Katko, Napolitano, and Beyer. This legislation will increase the authorization of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program to $50 million a year and ensures funding is available for the continued operation of the suicide hotline.

When an individual in crisis calls the suicide hotline, they cannot get a busy signal. This is crucial in this time of economic distress and social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With more individuals in crisis, more calls will come. We must increase awareness of this critical resource and make it easier to remember the number. We must make sure the national suicide hotline is prepared to deal with those in crisis.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko).

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Mr. GUTHRIE. In closing, Madam Speaker, I appreciate my colleagues for working very hard on this bill and all the bills for suicide preservation.

Madam Speaker, I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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