By Brandon Ziegler
The Senate adjourned without passing the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. This crucial piece of legislation was designed to help fill the gaps in the Department of Veteran Affairs to combat veteran suicide.
Roughly 22 veterans commit suicide a day, according to a report by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is partially due to Veterans Affairs not offering the help that is needed.
The act was passed by the House, had support from all major veteran groups, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and had enough votes to pass the Senate.
But Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., turned his back on veterans on his way out the door to secure his status as “Dr. No.”
Coburn claimed he tried to cut wasteful spending.
Is $22 million over five years not worth trying to stop 22 veterans a day from taking their lives?
I guess veterans are important on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, that’s it.
Senate leaders vowed to bring the bill up for vote in the new session, but it could be 100 days too late for some.
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