Landsman, Luttrell, Van Orden, Deluzio Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen VA Suicide Prevention Programs

Cincinnati, OH – Today, Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01), Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08), Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03), and Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen suicide prevention and mental health support for veterans.

Suicide prevention is currently the most urgent issue facing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To address this, Congressman Landsman has partnered with Congressmen Luttrell, Van Orden, and Deluzio to introduce the What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act – bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish and implement best practices for suicide prevention pilots and grant programs.

The VA Secretary would be responsible for setting clear and measurable objectives for funding and programs, and evaluating how effective those funding and programs are in achieving those objectives. This would help ensure millions of dollars in federal funding and programs are directed toward the most effective initiatives designed to prevent veteran suicide.

The What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act has been endorsed by the national Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Save a Warrior.

Congressman Landsman:

“We are reintroducing this bill because it will save countless lives. Too many veterans are dying by suicide every day, and we have to do more to prevent it. If we focus the VA’s resources on the most effective programs, we can make a significant impact in reducing these heartbreaking and entirely unacceptable rates of veteran suicide. Our veterans deserve the best care possible.”

Jon Retzer, DAV Deputy National Legislative Director for Health:

“Veteran suicide is a devastating crisis requiring urgent action. To save lives, the VA needs accurate data on the most effective prevention and mental health programs. The What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act sets clear goals, evaluates programs honestly, and uses comprehensive data to make smarter, life-saving decisions. DAV fully supports this critical legislation and thanks Rep. Landsman for his dedication to providing veterans with the effective care they deserve.”

Jake Clark, Founder & President of Save A Warrior:

“Save A Warrior is proud to be a supporting organization of this important bill, and we stand ready to assist in its advancement. We thank you for your continued leadership on this issue and for your commitment to those who have served our nation so honorably.”

Congressman Luttrell:

“Veteran suicide is a crisis we cannot afford to ignore. As someone who’s worn the uniform and served alongside some of the best this country has to offer, I’m committed to driving that number down to zero. Reintroducing this bill is about accountability and results. We need to know which programs are actually saving lives so we can invest in what works and get our veterans the support they deserve.”

Congressman Van Orden:

“I have lost many friends and teammates to suicide, and until we are using every available resource to prevent it, we are simply not doing enough. This bill ensures the VA is focused on proven, effective programs to combat veteran suicide. One veteran lost is one too many — we owe it to them to get this right.”

Congressman Deluzio:

“We have got to use all of the tested and effective tactics available to take on the suicide crisis facing America’s veterans. I am grateful to partner with Congressman Landsman to introduce this legislation that would create more guidelines for suicide prevention pilots and outreach through the VA. I will never stop fighting to protect and serve my fellow veterans.”

The full text of the What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act can be found here.

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