Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 20 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act," aims to amend titles 10 and 38 of the United States Code. It focuses on improving the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense and the Solid Start Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The primary goal is to address mental health issues during the transition from military service. It mandates the inclusion of specific mental health information in transition programs. Additionally, it requires a joint report from the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to congressional committees.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +9
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides direct, critical improvements to mental health resources and transition assistance for veterans.
- Scored +8
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill significantly enhances mental health access by providing better information on treatments and services during military transition.
- Scored +8
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill improves veteran healthcare by improving enrollment assistance and mental health education through the VA.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Mental Health Awareness in Transition Assistance: Under Section 2(a), the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program would include information regarding the availability of mental health services from various secretaries or non-profit entities. This provides service members with better knowledge of available help.
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Specific Treatment Information: Section 2(a)(11)(B) requires information on the treatment of conditions such as post-symptoms, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and suicidal ideation. This helps service members understand how to address conditions associated with their service.
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Suicide Prevention Education: Section 2(a)(11)(C) mandates providing information on the risk of suicide, including signs, symptoms, and risk factors like homelessness and unemployment. This can help individuals recognize and mitigate risks.
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Substance Abuse Resources: Section 2(a)(11)(D) ensures that information regarding treatment options for alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse is available to those transitioning.
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Social and Transition Support: Section 2(a)(11)(E) and (F) provide information on the potential effects of losing community, support systems, and isolation from family or society. This addresses the emotional stressors of separating from the Armed Forces.
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Improved Veteran Enrollment and Counseling: Section 2(b) updates the Solid Start Program to include assistance for eligible veterans enrolling in the system of patient enrollment and educating them about mental health and counseling services through the Veterans Health Administration.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill significantly enhances mental health access by providing better information on treatments and services during military transition. Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill improves veteran healthcare by improving enrollment assistance and mental health education through the VA. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The bill addresses the opioid crisis by mandating information on substance abuse treatment during service transition.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides direct, critical improvements to mental health resources and transition assistance for veterans.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill improves benefits by improving transition assistance and mental health resources for veterans.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires a joint report to congressional committees, increasing transparency regarding transition programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The bill targets suicide risk factors including homelessness through enhanced transition information.
- 6/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/1/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/20/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Joni ErnstRepublican · Iowa
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota