Edwards-Led Bipartisan Legislation, Justice for America's Veterans and Survivors Act, Passes the House

Washington, DC - The Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act, led by Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11), successfully passed through the House as part of the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Act.

The bipartisan legislation, co-led by Congresswoman Kelly Morrison (MN-03), aims to enhance data collection on the causes of death among veterans with the goal of preventing veteran suicide. The provisions outlined in the bill require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report annually on the cause of death among veterans with a specific focus on whether suicide was a primary or secondary factor contributing to the veteran’s cause of death.

Underreporting of veteran cause of death can lead to the misclassification of veteran suicide, ultimately denying families the recognition and survivor benefits they deserve. Requiring an accurate and consistent cause of death report will ensure proper access to benefits and resources for surviving family members.

“This measure is more than just a reporting requirement; it is a step toward preventing future suicides and ensuring that families receive the recognition, support, and resources they deserve, said Congressman Edwards. By improving the accuracy of reporting, we can better understand the challenges our veterans face, address the root causes of this crisis, and honor the legacy of those we have lost.”

“As a physician, I know firsthand that thorough and accurate data is critical to delivering the best possible care for patients,” said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison (MN-03). “This commonsense legislation will provide the information we need to ensure that our veterans are getting the best possible care, a goal we all share. I’m proud that our bipartisan effort has passed the House and I am hopeful that our colleagues in the Senate will take swift action to pass the bill and send it to the President’s desk.”

• Background
  • According to the VA, an average of 22 veterans commit suicide every day.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for veterans under the age of 45.
  • These tragedies are often the result of service-connected injuries and mental health conditions.
  • Underreporting and misclassification have in some instances prevented family members from accessing survivor benefits.
    • The VA relies on county reporting regarding cause of death, which fails to identify veteran status in 18 percent of cases.
    • Suicide data excludes many self-harm deaths, especially drug overdoses.
    • New research from America’s Warrior Partnership suggests 40–44 veterans die by suicide every day, nearly 15,000 annually.

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