Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3722) to require a pilot program on activities under the pre-separation transition process of members of the Armed Forces for a reduction in suicide among veterans, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3722

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 ``Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act''. SEC. 2. ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE SOLID START PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense.--Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``(11),'' before ``and (16)''; and

(2) by striking paragraph (11) and inserting the following:

``(11) Information concerning mental health, including--

``(A) the availability of mental health services furnished by the Secretary concerned, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or a non-profit entity;

``(B) the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, suicidal ideation, or other mental health conditions associated with service in the armed forces;

``(C) the risk of suicide, including signs, symptoms, and risk factors (including adverse childhood experiences, depression, bipolar disorder, homelessness, unemployment, and relationship strain);

``(D) the availability of treatment options and resources to address substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse;

``(E) the potential effects of the loss of community and support systems experienced by a member separating from the armed forces;

``(F) isolation from family, friends, or society; and

``(G) the potential stressors associated with separation from the armed forces.''.

(b) Solid Start Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.--Section 6320(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new subparagraphs:

``(G) assisting eligible veterans who elect to enroll in the system of patient enrollment under section 1705(a) of this title;

``(H) educating veterans about mental health and counseling services available through the Veterans Health Administration;''.

(c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the information and materials developed pursuant to the amendments made by this Act.

(d) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--

(1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3722, the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act.

I commend the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn) for introducing this legislation and for his leadership on this important issue.

H.R. 3722 seeks to improve the Transition Assistance Program run by the Department of Defense and the Solid Start program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Both programs provide critical assistance to the over 200,000 warfighters who transition to civilian life each year.

Every departing servicemember is required to complete the TAP program before leaving the service. The program provides valuable information, education, and training on veteran benefits, financial planning, how to find a job and start a business, as well as mental health resources available to servicemembers and their families.

Departing military service can be a very stressful time for servicemembers and their families. Servicemembers often experience feelings of isolation and loss of community that can exacerbate other mental health conditions. H.R. 3722 seeks to ensure that all departing servicemembers receive information on how to recognize and cope with these stressors, as well as help them identify risk factors for suicide.

On behalf of the Armed Services Committee, we look forward to working with the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn) as this bill moves forward to address some issues that may hinder its proper execution by the DOD.

It is important that we regularly review transition programs like TAP and Solid Start and make sure they are meeting the needs of our departing servicemembers and their families.

The men and women of our Armed Forces sacrifice tremendously when they agree to serve our Nation. When that service is complete, the least we can do is ensure they have an opportunity for a healthy and successful civilian life. That is the goal of H.R. 3722.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina.

I join my colleague, Representative Kiggans of Virginia, and rise in support of H.R. 3722, the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act.

As a proud United States Air Force veteran and voice for over 46,000 veterans in North Carolina's First Congressional District, I was proud to join my friend and colleague, Representative Zach Nunn, in introducing this bipartisan bill last year ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

The suicide rate in our military ranks and among our veterans is unacceptable. We must not have servicemembers put themselves in harm's way fighting for our country only to return home to take their own lives.

By requiring the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to jointly pursue a 5-year pilot program, H.R. 3722 will help assess the feasibility of providing specified counseling and services as part of the Transition Assistance Program.

This bill will close the information gap and ensure veterans can access the services they need when and where they need them.

When our Active-Duty personnel take off their uniforms and begin to transition to civilian life, we must ensure they have the mental health resources and support they need not only to survive but thrive.

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