DES MOINES — This week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Representative Zach Nunn’s (IA-03) bipartisan legislation to reduce veteran suicide. The Daniel J. Harvey and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act is named in memory of two Marines who served in Afghanistan together, Iowa’s Corporal Adam Lambert from Adel and Rhode Island’s Lance Corporal Daniel J. Harvey of Johnston. Both men tragically lost their lives to suicide within a year of leaving the military.
“America is the land of the free and home of the brave because of people like Cpl. Adam Lambert. A proud Marine, Adam raised his hand to serve our country,” said Rep. Nunn. “Unfortunately, too often the transition back to civilian life is harder than it should be. I’m grateful to have worked with Adam’s parents, Dean and Jill, to honor his memory and improve mental health services for America’s veterans.”
The suicide rate triples for veterans in the first 12 months following their separation from the military. In Iowa, the veteran suicide rate is four times higher than the national average. Often times, veterans are unaware of the support offered to them through Department of Veteran Affairs.
“We miss Adam so much. We’re proud to see his legacy live on through this critical legislation that will help save veterans’ lives,” said Dean and Jill Lambert, Adam’s parents. “We’re grateful to fight alongside Congressman Nunn to move this legislation forward to help other veterans and their families.”
The bipartisan legislation reforms the existing Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to provide transitioning veterans with the tools to better their mental health, resolve service-related mental health issues, and get the help they need. Specifically, the bill:
- Adds provisions to TAP to combat PTSD, depression, substance abuse, loneliness, and other mental health related conditions.
- Strengthens the existing Solid Start Program to increase education for veterans about mental health programs that are available to them.
Rep. Nunn announced the passage of the bill during a press conference in Ankeny with the Lambert family. The legislation now awaits consideration in the Senate. Text of the bill—which is co-led by Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Don Davis (NC-01), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) —is available here.
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