SR 104-22: Veteran Suicide Prevention Resolution (Rejected)

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Veteran Suicide Prevention Resolution

A resolution to decrease the incidence of suicides among active services members and veterans and to provide for their mental welfare.

Section 1.

a. Whereas, a task force shall be established and align its efforts to collaborate with the members of the Domestic Policy Council to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families to formulate recommendations relating to the development and implementation of suicide prevention best practices, using a public health approach, including the development of recommendations related to all of the following:

b. Identifying areas of need and screening veterans.

c. Promoting connections and improving care transitions among target veterans.

d. Educating providers and others regarding lethal means safety and safety planning

Sponsor: Spark

The gentleman from Florida is recognized.

[Senator-elect Spark]

It is necessary to help our service members and veterans combat mental health crises. According to a recent report in an analysis of 55 million data records from 1979 to 2014, it showed that around 20% of veterans die by suicide each day. We need to curtail this epidemic so that veterans and their families can have peace of mind knowing that they are receiving adequate mental health care. Mental healthcare saves lives.

[Joseph Cao]

Don't we have something like this already? Tmth signed a very similar piece of legislation into law.

[Joseph Cao]

Spark?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I don't like bills that only serve to re-enforce existing laws. Unless this resolution has anything meaningful to add (and for issues like this I would prefer meaningful legislation to empty virtue signaling), the resolution should be tabled or Spark should remove himself as sponsor and let it die.

[Senator-elect Spark]

I don't like bills that only serve to re-enforce existing laws. Unless this resolution has anything meaningful to add (and for issues like this I would prefer meaningful legislation to empty virtue signaling), the resolution should be tabled or Spark should remove himself as sponsor and let it die.

I disagree. This bill would help to expand the task force's purview. The DPC must be involved with this area.

[Continential]

I don't like bills that only serve to re-enforce existing laws. Unless this resolution has anything meaningful to add (and for issues like this I would prefer meaningful legislation to empty virtue signaling), the resolution should be tabled or Spark should remove himself as sponsor and let it die.

I disagree. This bill would help to expand the task force's purview. The DPC must be involved with this area.

There is no DPC

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The problem with referencing in legislation, council created and eliminated at the whim of the President, is that it may not in fact exist.

The DPC is meant to advise the President in terms of crafting legislation in response to domestic concerns and if the President decides he doesn't need it, then it won't be constituted. 

[Senator-elect Spark]

The problem with referencing in legislation, council created and eliminated at the whim of the President, is that it may not in fact exist.

The DPC is meant to advise the President in terms of crafting legislation in response to domestic concerns and if the President decides he doesn't need it, then it won't be constituted. 

Fair enough. Would you suggest an amendment?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I would suggest turning this into a bill instead of a resolution. The only effective purpose of a resolution is either to change the Senate rules, amend the Constitution, or respond to international events. As a rule they should be rare, because unless a plan or funding is in place then they are worth nothing more than saying "We should do something about x."

[SevenEleven]

I would suggest turning this into a bill instead of a resolution. The only effective purpose of a resolution is either to change the Senate rules, amend the Constitution, or respond to international events. As a rule they should be rare, because unless a plan or funding is in place then they are worth nothing more than saying "We should do something about x."

I agree and I'd be happy to put effort towards protecting those who have dedicated their lives to protecting us.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

This also lacks a sponsor due to Spark no longer being in the Senate. I'm going to leave this and other sponsor-less bills up for one week. If nobody assumes sponsorship by this time next Friday, bills and resolutions will be withdrawn. But unless somebody wants to put teeth on this resolution, by converting it to comprehensive legislation, I see no reason to continue debating it.

EDIT: Disregard the above but we still need Spark to swear in and we need to decide how to make this resolution actually work for the people it's intended for.

[Senator-elect Spark]

This also lacks a sponsor due to Spark no longer being in the Senate. I'm going to leave this and other sponsor-less bills up for one week. If nobody assumes sponsorship by this time next Friday, bills and resolutions will be withdrawn. But unless somebody wants to put teeth on this resolution, by converting it to comprehensive legislation, I see no reason to continue debating it.

EDIT: Disregard the above but we still need Spark to swear in and we need to decide how to make this resolution actually work for the people it's intended for.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Is there a plan to make this resolution accomplish anything?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I'm just going to open a vote in 24 hours unless anyone has any ideas or amendments.

[Joseph Cao]

I am somewhat at a loss as to how this can be fixed without either impinging on the DPC problem or the basic issue that there is legislation on the books that already does this.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Hearing no objection, a final vote is now open. Senators, please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

Veteran Suicide Prevention Resolution

A resolution to decrease the incidence of suicides among active services members and veterans and to provide for their mental welfare.

Section 1.

a. Whereas, a task force shall be established and align its efforts to collaborate with the members of the Domestic Policy Council to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families to formulate recommendations relating to the development and implementation of suicide prevention best practices, using a public health approach, including the development of recommendations related to all of the following:

b. Identifying areas of need and screening veterans.

c. Promoting connections and improving care transitions among target veterans.

d. Educating providers and others regarding lethal means safety and safety planning

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Nay. This resolution has no teeth and accomplishes nothing, and the sponsor did not have a plan to change that.

[OBD]

nay

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Abstain

[Saint Milei]

nay

[WD]

Abstain

[KoopaDaQuick 🇵🇸]

aye

[AGA]

Nay

[Senator-elect Spark]

Aye