Duckworth Diary: Friday, December 12, 2014

Press Release

Dear Neighbors,

I am proud that The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, bipartisan legislation I co-authored, passed the House of Representatives unanimously on Tuesday. This legislation, named after 28-year-old Marine Veteran Clay Hunt, who tragically took his own life in March 2011, will reduce the barriers that prevent our Veterans from receiving quality mental health care. It is a heartbreaking reality that twenty-two Veterans take their own lives each day. They are all casualties of war. As a nation, we are failing these brave men and women. Through the SAV Act, we can begin to turn the tide against Veteran suicide. You can read more about the SAV Act here.

On Wednesday, I introduced legislation that would provide the necessary fix ensuring all eligible surviving spouses of Post 9/11 Servicemembers have the opportunity to pursue their education through the Fry Scholarship. Currently, public law provides for a cut off of Fry Scholarship Eligibility of 15 years from the date of Servicemember's death. Any surviving spouse who lost their Servicemember after 9/11/2001 should have the opportunity to pursue higher education and not be worried about the benefit expiring halfway through their educational pursuit, and be left with no option going forward after making an irrevocable election of benefit.

Earlier this year, I signed on to a letter to the President asking for an executive order protecting LGBT employees of federal contractors from discrimination. The White House and Department of Labor announced earlier this month that the final rule is being published. You can read the full rule here.

The House passed H.R. 5764, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2014, which will authorize the use of $300 million for the continued maintenance and restoration of the Great Lakes. I recently sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget in support of this program and also sent a letter to appropriations committee asking for full funding.

This Saturday marks the 115th meeting between the Army Black Knights and the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen. I might be biased, but I hope for a good game and an Army win!

I hope you are having a great week.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Duckworth

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