releases: https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-s-legislative-fix-veterans-crisis-line-problems-gives-hope
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://davidyoung.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/young-s-legislative-fix-veterans-crisis-line-problems-gives-hope | Youngs Legislative Fix to Veterans Crisis Line Problems Gives Hope to Veterans | 2016-11-17 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Young’s Legislative Fix to Veterans Crisis Line Problems Gives Hope to Veterans (WASHINGTON) Late one Saturday evening earlier this year, an Iowa veteran called the Veterans Crisis Line hoping to reach someone able to give him the help he desperately needed - instead he was left waiting on the line as the phone kept ringing with no answer. After failing to reach anyone at the hotline, the veteran contacted Iowa Congressman David Young’s office, where fortunately staff was able to get him the help he was seeking. The Veterans Crisis Line, a critical toll-free hotline for veterans seeking help from suicide prevention and crisis counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has come under fire recently for missed or unanswered calls and text messages, unresponsive staff, as well as inappropriate or delayed responses. “When veterans report issues receiving help from the Veterans Crisis Line, it is incredibly troubling,” said Dave Thornburg, Secretary of the Iowa Veterans Council. “It takes a lot for anyone to seek help, so assistance must be there for those who need it.” Veterans' reports prompted an investigation into the mental health tool from both the Government Accountability Office, the nonpartisan government watchdog agency, and the VA Office of the Inspector General, the VA’s investigative oversight department. Findings echoed problems faced by veterans across the country, and both investigations in particular found ‘gaps in the quality assurance process,’ and provided a number of recommendations to address the responsiveness and performance of the Veterans Crisis Line and the mental health care provided to our veterans. Congressman Young, seeking to advocate for our veterans and address this problem, introduced the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act in June, legislation providing necessary responsiveness and performance improvements to this important resource. “Our veterans make tremendous sacrifices in defense of our freedoms, and we have a solemn responsibility to honor our commitments to them,” Congressman Young said, “When a veteran returns home, we must make every effort to ensure they have the tools and resources they need and were promised.” Thanks to Congressman Young’s advocacy efforts, the legislation gained momentum, garnering support from Republicans and Democrats alike in both the House and Senate, including the introduction of a companion bill in the Senate by South Dakota Senator John Thune. Following passage of the legislation in committee, the full House passed the legislation unanimously by a vote of 357-0 in September. “I appreciate the support I have received from colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and both chambers of Congress on this bill, and remain committed to getting this legislation across the finish line for our veterans,” Congressman Young added. Thornburg, also a veteran, noted that efforts to improve the Veterans Crisis Line are not going unnoticed. “Congressman Young’s work on legislation to fix the Veterans Crisis Line is encouraging, and so is the support it has received from so many other members of Congress.” In a victory for veterans in Iowa and across the country, Congressman Young’s bill passed the Senate this month with unanimous support. “The Veterans Crisis Line is a critical lifeline for the military men and women who return home from combat, oftentimes having to cope with the invisible wounds of war,” said Senator Thune in a statement. “When our heroes need someone to reach out to, the least we can do is ensure there's someone available to answer their call. I want to thank Rep. Young for his leadership on this issue, and I look forward to the president signing our bill without delay." The legislation next heads to the desk of President Obama, where Congressman Young and veterans across the country hope he signs the bill into law without delay. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |