Smith Hails House Veterans' Bills

Press Release

Smith Hails House Veterans' Bills

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today voiced his support for several pieces of veterans-related legislation passed by the House of Representatives, including a bill directing the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the number of suicides among veterans.

Smith also called on Congress to finish its work on the Veterans and Military Construction Appropriations bill, which first passed the House of Representatives 130 days ago. The bill sets aside funds for veterans' health care and housing initiatives.

"We ask so much of our military men and women, they deserve our help when they come home. This Congress has the responsibility to do the job we were sent here to do, which is provide the funding our veterans need for their health care and well being," Smith said.

Over the course of combat operations in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom - OEF) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom - OIF), there has been a growing concern with the number of suicides that have occurred in the OEF/OIF soldier and veteran population. The Mental Health Advisory Team issued a report which found, in 2005, the suicide rate for the OIF area of operations was 19.9 per 100,000 soldiers which is considerably higher than the national average and the Army's overall reported rate of 13.1 per 100,000.

The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 327) creates an outreach program for veterans and families of veterans, placing emphasis on providing information to affected parties and establishing a peer support counseling program.

The House also passed bills condemning vandalism to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial in early September (H.Res. 680) and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day (H.Res. 237).

The House passed the Veterans' Appropriations bill on June 15, 2007, with a vote of 409-2. The Senate passed its own version on September 6, 2007. Though the Senate has named conferees to iron out differences between the two bills, opening the door for final passage, the House has not.

"It's time to stop playing politics with our veterans' well-being. It's time to send the President a funding bill he can sign so our veterans receive the care they deserve," Smith said.

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