Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4035, the Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2021.

Unfortunately, many of our Nation's veterans suffer from substance abuse disorders, mental health conditions, and trauma. According to data from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 60 percent of combat veterans in our Nation's prisons have reported mental health disorders.

Veterans treatment court programs are modeled after other specialized treatment court programs, such as drug treatment courts to provide services specific to meet the unique needs of veterans. Veterans treatment courts are not only designed to benefit veterans in the criminal justice system, but taxpayers as well.

These treatment programs lower recidivism for participants who complete them, saving money that otherwise would have been spent on incarceration.

H.R. 4035 will expand data collection on these treatment programs to ensure that our veterans are getting the most effective treatment possible.

H.R. 4035 also authorizes pilot programs to make grants to improve retention rates in veterans treatment court programs. It allows veterans in jurisdictions that do not operate veterans court programs to participate in drug courts instead.

Congress must do everything in its power to protect our Nation's veterans and ensure that they get the very best treatment. This is exactly what this bill does.

Ms. JACKSON LEE.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

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