Josh Gottheimer: “I thank Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz and Ranking Member Carter for their work on this legislation and leadership. Madam…”

“I thank Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz and Ranking Member Carter for their work on this legislation and leadership. Madam Chair, I rise in support of amendments en bloc No. 6, which includes my amendment to H.R. 3055 to increase our investment in the Veterans Health Administration for the purpose of hiring more mental health professionals. Madam Chair, we in Congress have no higher obligation than to care for our veterans. According to the inspector general for the VA, mental health professionals are the most needed occupation at the VA. Many of those in the veterans community are suffering from mental health conditions with so many of them, unfortunately, suffering in silence. Less than half of all returning veterans in need receive the mental health treatment that they deserve and need, and that is unacceptable. We have seen an increased incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and depression from our veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. My office has worked with a number of veterans who are suffering from PTSD to make sure they get access to the care they have earned. An average of 20 veterans die by suicide every day. In New Jersey, my home State, the rate of suicide in the veterans community is almost double that of the rest of the population. This is shameful. Madam Chairwoman, surely we can all come together as a body to support this most pressing and urgent need.…”