Bipartisan legislation named in honor of two Marines, Rhode Islander Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey, Jr., and Iowan Cpl. Adam Lambert, who died by suicide
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to better support the mental health needs of veterans and servicemembers as they return home. The Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act would improve the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Solid Start program by providing increased mental health support for transitioning servicemembers and veterans. In the U.S. House of Representatives, this bill is led by Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Seth Magaziner (RI-02).
The bill was named in memory of two Marines who lost their lives to suicide: Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey, Jr., of Rhode Island, and Cpl. Adam Lambert of Iowa.
“Servicemembers who return home bearing invisible wounds of war deserve the very best care this nation has to offer,” said Whitehouse. “Johnston’s own Lance Corporal Daniel Harvey, Jr. was a hero who our community lost long before his time. It’s a privilege to introduce this bipartisan legislation in his honor to help save the lives of those who have sacrificed much for our country.”
“Servicemembers put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and America owes them a debt of gratitude,” said Ernst. “We will never forget the life of Cpl. Adam Lambert. This bill honors his memory by fully supporting veterans in their transition into civilian life and providing them access to the highest quality of mental health care.”
Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey, Jr., of Johnston, was a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and passed away in 2015 at the age of 22. Harvey attended Johnston High School, where he was captain of the Johnston/North Providence co-op hockey team. He graduated in 2010 and enlisted in the Marines.
This bill would reduce veteran suicide by requiring TAP to provide information to separating servicemembers about the mental health challenges they might face while transitioning to civilian life. It would also require VA’s Solid Start program to inform veterans about VA benefits and mental health services available to them at their local VA medical facility.
“The Veterans of Foreign Wars proudly supports the Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act. Named in honor of two Marines who served together in Afghanistan and tragically died by suicide after returning home, this legislation is a solemn reminder of what is at stake,” said Joy Craig, Associate Director, VFW National Legislative Services. “Transitioning from military to civilian life can be one of the most vulnerable times in a veteran’s life. This bill gives servicemembers the mental health tools they need, early, clearly, and compassionately, to navigate that difficult transition and resolve service-related challenges before they become crises. No veteran should face that kind of struggle without knowing where to turn for help. The VFW urges swift passage of this commonsense, life-saving legislation.”
“Veterans face a 35% higher rate of suicide in their first 12 months following separation from the Armed Forces, and this transition period provides a critical opportunity to expand access to mental health supports,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “We commend Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Joni Ernst, as well as Representatives Zach Nunn and Seth Magaziner, for introducing legislation to prevent suicide and support Veterans during their transition to civilian life by providing information about mental health and connecting them to mental health services.”
The Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act was also endorsed by the American Legion. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) cosponsored the legislation.
Fourteen veterans in Rhode Island lost their lives to suicide in 2022, according to the VA.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
