John Rutherford: “I thank my good friend from New York for his kind words. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss something that affects…”

“I thank my good friend from New York for his kind words. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss something that affects far too many of our veterans around the country. Every year in America, thousands of young men and women, they raise their right hands and take that oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. They take this oath with the full knowledge of the risks associated with military service. They may be shipped off to a dangerous place. They may be required to have courage under fire. And like scores of American heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice throughout our history, they may even lay down their lives as well. Madam Speaker, what these men and women did not sign up for is the torment that follows too many after their service is complete. In fact, for some, the toughest battle that they will face comes after they leave the military. Over the last 2 years, Americans have weathered the COVID-19 pandemic. But I tell you, there is another pandemic raging in our veteran community. Every single day, over 20 veterans take their lives--every single day. Since 9/11, we have lost four times as many veterans and Active Duty servicemembers to suicide than we have to combat--four times more to suicide than combat. This pandemic may not get the front-page attention in the media, but for those battling PTSD, TBI, and other forms of service-connected trauma, it is personal, and it is real.…”