Matt Rosendale: “Let me reiterate these numbers again. These individuals are eight times more likely to attempt suicide--eight times more…”

“Let me reiterate these numbers again. These individuals are eight times more likely to attempt suicide--eight times more likely to attempt suicide--and nine times more likely to have negative mental health episodes than other servicemembers. United States military veterans are experiencing 21 suicides a day, and we are doing everything we can in the Veterans' Affairs Committee to reduce that number. Why in the world are we considering bringing individuals in that are going to increase that number? If these individuals are that troubled on an ordinary day without the pressures of war, why would we risk our Nation's security on them in wartime? It just simply does not make sense. Allowing this radical trans agenda to infiltrate our military will put our servicemembers and my constituents in harm's way and will make our country more vulnerable than it has ever been in modern history. My commonsense amendment would save the taxpayers millions of dollars and help protect our servicemembers, as well as our country, and maybe save a lot of lives as well. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”