Senate to vote Monday on veterans suicide prevention bill

The Senate will vote Monday on a bill to help prevent suicides among military veterans, Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) said Wednesday.

Isakson also predicted the measure, which former Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) filibustered in December, will be approved.

{mosads}“It’s going to pass,” said Isakson, who doesn’t expect any amendments to be offered.

The legislation, dubbed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, has broad support and already has been passed by the House in a unanimous vote earlier this month.

Coburn blocked the bill in December, arguing it cost too much and duplicated other programs.

The Veterans Affairs Department estimates that as many as 22 veterans commit suicide each day and that there are more than 8,000 suicides by veterans every year.