Edwards Moves to Strengthen Veteran Care and Outreach

WASHINGTON, DC - Last week, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee favorably reported two bipartisan bills out of committee that Congressman Chuck Edwards has championed: H.R. 3627, the Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act, and H.R. 3863, the VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act.

The Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act was included in the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Act, a comprehensive package of VA reform legislation. Rep. Edwards’s provision improves how the Department of Veterans Affairs collects and reports data on the causes of death among veterans with particular emphasis on identifying when suicide is a primary or contributing factor.

Currently, bureaucratic gaps and underreporting can lead to the misclassification of veteran suicide, ultimately denying families the recognition and survivor benefits they deserve. The legislation requires the VA to issue an annual report on veteran deaths, ensuring accurate and consistent data collection. This measure is more than a reporting requirement; it is a step toward preventing future suicides and better supporting the families who carry on the legacy of those lost.

Rep. Edwards also led the VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act to require the VA to conduct annual, proactive outreach to veterans with mental health-related, service-connected disabilities. This legislation also ensures veterans receive personalized consultations and updated information on available VA mental health resources.

Together, these bills move our nation closer to a system that honors every veteran’s service and ensures support for their families. Rep. Edwards remains committed to improving access to care, delivering justice for survivors, and advancing bipartisan solutions to prevent veteran suicide and uphold our promise to those who served.