Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
This bill amends the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 to modify and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Key changes: increase maximum single-grant award from $750,000 to $1,250,000; add Secretary-determined additional measures and metrics; require annual briefings for VA medical centers within 100 miles of a grantee; extend the program authorization through September 30, 2028; and increase total authorized funding to $285,000,000 for FY2026–2028.
Support hinges on funding levels: liberals favor, conservatives worry about cost
Narrow, non-ideological veterans bill with modest cost increase; main barrier is competing spending priorities and need for appropriation.
This bill amends the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 to modify and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.
Key changes: increase maximum single-grant award from $750,000 to $1,250,000; add Secretary-determined additional measures and metrics; require annual briefings for VA medical centers within 100 miles of a grantee; extend the program authorization through September 30, 2028; and increase total authorized funding to $285,000,000 for FY2026–2028.
The bill also broadens the set of entities that may be involved with the Task Force and contains a brief, unclear amendment to an eligibility subsection.
Narrow, bipartisan-friendly veterans suicide-prevention reauthorization with modest cost increases typically has favorable prospects, but requires separate appropriations and scheduling.
How solid the drafting looks.
Support hinges on funding levels: liberals favor, conservatives worry about cost
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Support hinges on funding levels: liberals favor, conservatives worry about cost
Likely broadly supportive because the bill increases funding, raises grant ceilings, and seeks better coordination and accountability for veteran suicide-prevention grants.
Would welcome stronger measures that direct resources toward underserved veterans and community providers.
Might press for clearer equity safeguards and data transparency.
Generally favorable but pragmatic: supports suicide-prevention funding and improved coordination while seeking clarity on costs and measurable outcomes.
Wants assurance that increased grant limits deliver demonstrable results and that program changes avoid duplication with existing VA services.
Cautiously skeptical: supports veteran suicide-prevention in principle but worries about greater federal spending, expanded executive discretion, and potential program duplication.
Prefers tighter limits, clearer performance requirements, and consideration of state or private-sector solutions.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Narrow, bipartisan-friendly veterans suicide-prevention reauthorization with modest cost increases typically has favorable prospects, but requires separate appropriations and scheduling.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Support hinges on funding levels: liberals favor, conservatives worry about cost
Narrow, bipartisan-friendly veterans suicide-prevention reauthorization with modest cost increases typically has favorable prospects, but r…
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