Solid Start Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1198) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and expand the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: S. 1198

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Solid Start Act of 2022''. SEC. 2. SOLID START PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter: ``SUBCHAPTER II--OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ``Sec. 6320. Solid Start program

``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program, to be known as the `Solid Start program', under which the Secretary shall--

``(1) build the capacity of the Department to efficiently and effectively respond to the queries and needs of veterans who have recently separated from the Armed Forces; and

``(2) systemically integrate and coordinate efforts to assist veterans, including efforts--

``(A) to proactively reach out to newly separated veterans to inform them of their eligibility for programs of and benefits provided by the Department; and

``(B) to connect veterans in crisis to resources that address their immediate needs.

``(b) Activities of the Solid Start Program.--(1) The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall carry out the Solid Start program of the Department by--

``(A) collecting up-to-date contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for all members of the Armed Forces who are separating from the Armed Forces, while explaining the existence and purpose of the Solid Start program;

``(B) calling each veteran, regardless of separation type or characterization of service, three times within the first year after separation of the veteran from the Armed Forces;

``(C) providing information about the Solid Start program on the website of the Department and in materials of the Department, especially transition booklets and other resources;

``(D) ensuring calls are truly tailored to the needs of each veteran's unique situation by conducting quality assurance tests;

``(E) prioritizing outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces;

``(F) providing women veterans with information that is tailored to their specific health care and benefit needs;

``(G) as feasible, providing information on access to State and local resources, including Vet Centers and veterans service organizations; and

``(H) gathering and analyzing data assessing the effectiveness of the Solid Start program.

``(2) The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, may carry out the Solid Start program by--

``(A) encouraging members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life to authorize alternate points of contact who can be reached should the member be unavailable during the first year following the separation of the member from the Armed Forces; and

``(B) following up missed phone calls with tailored mailings to ensure the veteran still receives similar information.

``(3) In this subsection:

``(A) The term `Vet Center' has the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title.

``(B) The term `veterans service organization' means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of this title.''.

(b) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 63 of such title, as amended by subsection (a), is further amended--

(1) by inserting before section 6301 the following: ``Subchapter I--Outreach Services Program''; and

(2) in sections 6301, 6303, 6304, 6305, 6306, and 6307, by striking ``this chapter'' each place it appears and inserting ``this subchapter''.

(c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended--

(1) by inserting before the item relating to section 6301 the following new item: ``subchapter i--outreach services program''; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new items: ``subchapter ii--other outreach programs and activities ``6320. Solid Start program.''.

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Mr. TAKANO. 1198.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise to support S. 1198, the bipartisan, bicameral, Solid Start Act.

This bill is led by Senator Hassan, and in the House, this legislative effort is led by my Veterans Affairs' Committee colleague, Representative Slotkin.

Now, we know that the transition from Active-Duty service to veteran status can bring not only new opportunities, but also substantial adjustment and stress. For some veterans, it can pose serious mental health challenges. In fact, the first year of transitioning out of military service is a very high-risk period for veteran suicide.

VA initiated its Solid Start program to address the challenges new veterans may face during this period. VA now contacts veterans at three different periods in that first year to check in, remind veterans of benefits and services for which they are eligible, and connect them to resources.

Women veterans, like all veterans, deserve to know about all of the benefits and services they have earned with no exceptions. I have heard today that some Republican Members of this House are suddenly looking to oppose this veteran suicide prevention bill, and all because it has 16 words that simply ensure women veterans are told about the range of benefits and services for which they are eligible; 16 words, when we are talking about 16 veteran suicide deaths a day.

We are talking about benefits like the GI bill, and compensation for toxic exposure presumptions, breast cancer screening, treatment for military sexual trauma, and, yes, the freedom to discuss their options around pregnancy.

All benefits they have earned through their service because they chose to serve our Nation. Well, I would say to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to take your fight against women veterans elsewhere.

Criminalizing, infantilizing, and denying women veterans--take your fight elsewhere.

There is no bar that prevents VA providers from discussing a single benefit with male veterans, but my colleagues want a double standard for women veterans. This is about two lines in an entire bill meant to help veterans who have recently left Active Duty. All veterans.

Republicans won't pass this bill unless we delete women from it. I refuse to do that. Women veterans are veterans.

A conversation with a woman veteran about coming to the VA could prevent her death from suicide. It could also prevent needless suffering and possible death from health conditions, including pregnancy.

Republicans have gotten so extreme with their fear of women having autonomy over their own bodies and lives that they are willing to play political games with veterans' lives and tank a veteran suicide prevention bill.

I would also remind those considering blocking this bill that this very same language has already passed in the House. Back on June 23 of this year, this Chamber passed the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022. It passed under a simple voice vote.

The Senate unanimously passed the Solid Start Act after VA's new rule on abortion counseling and services had been announced.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and this legislation would help us better connect veterans with the resources needed to save lives. Sadly, each day, we are losing roughly 16 veterans to suicide.

I am not willing to let 16 words about women's freedom to discuss their own benefits contained in this legislation prevent us from saving the lives of 16 veterans who die by suicide each day. I thank Senator Hassan and Representative Slotkin for their work on this important issue, and I am pleased we could take up this bill during Suicide Prevention Month.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S.

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

Let me just respond, that every day my colleagues are making threats to file a lawsuit to stop the interim final rule. Like the ranking member believes, as do many on his side of the aisle, that the interim final rule is illegal based on the 1992 law. I will remind him that in 1996, Congress authorized the VA Secretary to define the medical benefits package. So I disagree with his interpretation of this interim final rule as being illegal.

Let me mention one thing further, that I have not seen any lawsuit yet filed, even though he asserted that he would seek to have this rule stayed. I am assuming that the delay in filing, since the hearing that we had, is because he is still looking for a perfect judge to hear it.

In the meantime, they are highjacking this opportunity to once again blind and gag women veterans under the premise that veterans should not be allowed to know the healthcare options and benefits that are available to them.

This is not only an insult to veterans but to the veterans service organizations that have endorsed and supported this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin), my good friend who serves on the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.
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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time remains.

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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, before I yield an additional 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan, let me just say that if the minority is so insistent and is fervent in their belief that this interim final rule is illegal, I do not understand why there has been no lawsuit filed to enjoin the rule.

This is very peculiar that with such passion and with such fervor they argue that this rule is illegal.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin).

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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, what the gentleman from Texas is suggesting that we do is delete women from S. 1198. That, I will not do.

Yes, I strongly believe in Article I. The accusation that Secretary McDonough issued a radical rule, well, what is this so-called radical rule he is mentioning that he has issued? The rule that Secretary McDonough issued, the interim final rule, says that abortion is available based on the 1996 law, which gave him the authority to define medical benefits available at the VA. That is very clear what Congress did.

It is under that authority that this Secretary has made not a radical rule but simply a rule which allows veteran women to enjoy the same rights that they had when they were serving in the military as Active- Duty servicemembers. Women serving in the military have access to abortions when they have been raped, when they are victims of incest, and, yes, when their pregnancies pose a danger to their life.

Who is trying to play God here are the Members on the other side of the aisle who wish to deny women who have worn the cloth of this country, who have served our country, who fought for all of our freedoms, to deny them the freedom to be able to consider the full range of medical procedures that they need in order to preserve their own life.

What is extreme here is that they want to deny women to even be able to access abortion counseling, counseling which may save their lives.

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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, again, I ask for my colleagues to join me in passing S. 1198.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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