Rep. Cisneros Introduces Bill Requiring Oversight of Military Suicide Prevention Programs

WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31) introduced legislation to conduct oversight into the Department of Defense's (DoD) suicide prevention measures. If enacted, this legislation would require the DoD's Inspector General to review efforts by the services to prevent incidents of deaths by suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation among members of the Armed Forces.

"There has not been an investigation into each military branch's suicide prevention programs since 2021, when there was a string of suicides on the USS George Washington at port in Norfolk," said Congressman Cisneros. "Unfortunately, that report confirmed the Navy could have done more. Mental health legislation, like the Brandon Act, is not being carried out to its full extent, and servicemembers are suffering because of it. The military branches owe it to servicemembers and their families to do everything they can to prevent suicide."

Read the full text of the bill here.

Rep. Cisneros is a Navy Veteran and the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, and Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. Rep. Cisneros is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative.

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