Political Quotes

“I thank the distinguished Senator from Delaware for his naval service and for his concern for veterans. It is a pleasure to serve with him. Amendment No. 2926 Mr. President, as marines, we tend to make interservice jokes when we are in the company of one another, but I know we share a common dedication in making sure our veterans receive the sort of care and support that, of course, they deserve. That is why I rise in support of amendment No. 2926 to the MILCON-VA bill. Suicide is one of the most serious problems that face our veterans today. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, ``after adjusting for differences in age and sex, risk for suicide was 22 percent higher among Veterans when compared to U.S. non-Veteran adults.'' That figure is 19 percent higher among male veterans when compared to U.S. non-veteran adult men and 2\1/2\ times higher among female veterans. Our veterans deserve the highest possible quality of care. Mental health care services are a critical component of that effort and are essential to preventing veteran suicides. Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs has a solemn duty to ensure that programs designed to protect veterans' emotional and mental health are effective. The Department of Veterans Affairs launched what is now known as the Veterans Crisis Line in 2011.…”