Newsletter: I'm Calling for Answers on Veterans Mental Health Cuts

Dear Friends, 

I’m very concerned about the reports that DOGE has cut Veterans Crisis Line staff, and I’m taking action to get answers. I just sent a bipartisan letter with Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska to VA Secretary Doug Collins calling for detailed responses to questions about who may have been let go and exactly how the administration plans to keep the VCL operating at its full capacity.

Veterans are disproportionately affected by suicide – we need more resources to save lives, not fewer. Since the 2022 launch of 988, the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) has answered more than 7.7 million calls, 941,000 chats, and 377,000 texts, connecting over 1.5 million veterans with suicide prevention coordinators. 

Veterans mental health is one of my top priorities in Congress. I lead the effort every year to ensure the Veterans Crisis Line is adequately funded. And I was proud to co-author the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which created the 988 mental health lifeline.

Veterans mental health should not be a partisan issue, and the Veterans Crisis Line should not be on the table for cuts. I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that no veteran lives are put at risk because of Elon Musk’s reckless, ill-conceived cuts. 

All the best, 

Seth Moulton