U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) praised the Senate’s passing of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act on Tuesday.
The bipartisan legislation is designed to improve how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) provides suicide prevention and training as well as other mental health resources to American servicemen and women and veterans.
“Approximately 22 veterans commit suicide every day – an unacceptable fact plaguing our nation’s brave heroes,” Blunt said. “We owe these men and women the very best treatment available, and this legislation takes an important step forward in achieving that goal. I’m proud to have co-sponsored this bipartisan bill, which will help address mental health treatment and the unacceptable rate of suicide among veterans and service members.”
Co-sponsors of the SAV Act include U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Richard Burr (R-NC), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV).
The legislation is named for Clay Hunt, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who took his own life in 2011 at the age of 28.
The bill has already passed the House, receiving an unanimous vote in January. It is now on the way to the Oval Office for final approval.