Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5059, the Clay Hunt SAV Act, which was introduced in July of this year. It has 134 cosponsors, including myself, Chairman Miller, and the chairman and ranking member of the Health Care Subcommittee. Congressman Walz is the primary sponsor of this very important piece of legislation. Over the years, the Veterans Affairs' Committee has taken steps to address the rise of suicide among veterans. In the 110th Congress we enacted the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act. Earlier in this Congress we reported H.R. 4971, which included a measure sponsored by our colleague, Representative Sinema, that would protect veterans who have worked in classified environments by ensuring that appropriate mental health care treatment options exist for them. Today, we are acting again, by considering H.R. 5059, the Clay Hunt SAV Act. There are no easy answers or quick fixes to addressing veterans suicide. It will take a concerted effort for all of us in Congress, the White House, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense to work together to find real solutions. Veterans support groups, community employers, and families are part of the solution too. H.R. 5059 takes a number of steps toward that goal.…”