Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss an issue that has become a national crisis and that must be immediately addressed. Serving in the Army for 24 years as both a nurse and a physician, from the Vietnam era to the first Gulf War, I have seen many of my fellow veterans suffer from anxiety, depression, survivor's guilt, and PTSD. Many veterans are still living with those scars, and without proper care and treatment, mental health crises can make everyday life a struggle or even life-threatening for them or their families. Yesterday, I partnered with my fellow veterans, Congressman Ruben Gallego, a corporal in the Marine Corps, Senator Joni Ernst, a fellow veteran and a fellow Army lieutenant colonel, and Senator Mark Kelly, a captain in the Navy, to introduce the Save Our Servicemembers Act. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would direct the Pentagon to evaluate the effectiveness of their suicide prevention efforts and to improve its data collection, reduce bureaucratic duplication, and strengthen collaboration between its offices. I am heartbroken at the continued rise in suicides in the veteran community and our military communities. It is no secret that our servicemembers often face invisible challenges when they return to civilian life, and we need to do a better job addressing their needs and the needs of their families.…”