More than 120 House Representatives want the leaders of a House Veteran Affairs subcommittee to not cut federal funding to veteran suicide prevention and outreach programs.
In a letter sent to the chairman of an appropriations subcommittee on veteran affairs, led by Connecticut Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty and New Jersey’s Congresspeople Frank LoBiondo and Bonnie Watson Coleman, the 123 representatives called for $173 million in funding next year to address the veteran suicide crisis.
It’s the same amount as this year’s funding, but they are concerned wide-sweeping federal budget cuts will limit funding for vets.
According to the VA, 20 veterans take their own lives every day.