Rep. Peters Participates in White House Ceremony to Sign Vets Suicide Prevention Bill Into Law

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) participated in a ceremony at the White House where the “Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act” was signed into law by President Obama. Peters was among several lawmakers invited to the White House East Room for the bill signing because of his strong advocacy for America’s veterans, and his particular focus on ending the upward trend in veteran suicides.

“This will make a real difference in the lives of San Diego veterans and their families,” Rep. Peters said. “Getting the bill passed through Congress and signed by the President is the kind of bipartisan action that the American people expect, and that the country’s veterans deserve. This day would not have been possible without the help of veterans and advocates across the country, including Dr. Howard and Jean Somers from Coronado, who have been tireless in their commitment to making reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).”

Rep. Peters helped pass the “Clay Hunt SAV Act” in the House of Representatives and he recently hosted the Somers at the State of the Union to honor their work for reforms at the VA.

H.R. 203, the “Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act,” establishes a pilot program to help veterans access mental health services in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), requires the VA to set up a single website portal for mental health services, and authorizes the VA to take actions to increase retention of mental health staff.

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