NewsBytes November 15, 2019
In this issue:
Legislators Work to Avoid Government Shutdown
FRA at Suicide Prevention Roundtable on the Hill
POW/MIA Flag at Federal Buildings
Key Legislators Work to Avoid Government Shutdown
In September, the House and Senate passed a Continuing Resolution (CR-H.R.4378) based on an agreement between the White House, Senate and House of Representatives. The CR kept the federal government open at the current spending levels from October 1 to Nov. 21, 2019, which is the beginning of a new fiscal year. With the November 21 deadline looming over the horizon, the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.) and House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Nita Lowey (N.Y.) have tentatively agreed on a second Continuing Resolution to keep government open until Dec. 20, 2019. This new CR must pass the House and Senate and be signed by the president before Nov. 21, 2019. According to press reports, the White House has not yet signed off on the deal.
The Pentagon has informed Congress that another CR after November 21 will disrupt various programs. The Navy disruptions would include operation and maintenance fund shortfalls that would curtail the availability of 14 ships, cancel deployed ship training and shutdown non-deployed carrier air wing and expeditionary squadrons. Further, the Navy could also see delayed delivery of one Virginia-class fast attack submarine, one fleet ocean tug and two Landing Craft Utility vessels.
The FRA Speaks at Suicide Prevention at Capitol Hill Meeting
NED Chris Slawinski recently was one of four featured speakers at the Veteran and Servicemember Suicide Prevention roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill that was sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It was noted at the meeting that suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 34. Suicide is tenth leading cause of death in the United States and on average, 129 Americans die by suicide each day. Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than civilians.
Speaking before a room of mostly Capitol Hill staffers, Slawinski spoke from a personal perspective as a Veteran Service Officer. He shared a particular story of being on the telephone with the wife of a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. The veteran was considering suicide and it was the intervention of his spouse along with Slawinski that helped the veteran get assistance.
One of the speakers was Psych Hub Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Keita Franklin, who acknowledged suicide is a “very complex issue” and some causes that trigger feelings of suicide often include failed relationship, substance abuse and legal troubles. Franklin stressed that one of the most productive steps that can be taken is to reduce the stigma that surrounds suicide. This “mental health literacy” is important in bringing the issue of suicide out into the open. Chief Advocacy Officer of the Independence Fund Bob Carey spoke of current legislation that intends to help those seeking help, are able to receive it. Director of Psychological Health, District of Columbia National Guard Torrie Osterholm encouraged everyone to take a moment and ask, “how can I help?”
POW/MIA Flag at Federal Buildings
President Donald Trump recently signed into law the National POW/MIA Flag Act (S.693), sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.). The act would require prominent federal buildings and national war memorials to fly the POW/MIA flag alongside the American flag throughout the year. The flag is designed to help highlight the continued suffering of military families with service members who are unaccounted for overseas (82,000). The FRA wants to ensure that the Defense Department makes every effort for a complete accounting of all Prisoners Of War and Missing in Action service members for past and current conflicts.
NewsBytes is FRA's weekly legislative update. If you received this through a forward and would like to subscribe, please e-mail us and include your name and contact information in the body of e-mail. If you are a member of FRA or LA FRA, please include your member number.
Follow FRA on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FRAHQ); Follow FRA on Instagram (www.instagram.com/fra_hq) and "like" FRA on Facebook (use the shortcut of www.fra.org/fb)