Will urge Senate to pass critical veteran suicide prevention bill today

WHAT: Ahead of the Senate’s consideration of the Clay Hunt SAV Act tonight, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) will hold a press conference with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and other Senate sponsors urging members to stand with our veterans by passing legislation to combat the epidemic of 22 veterans dying by suicide every day.

The bipartisan Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, introduced by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), has a total of 48 co-sponsors – 27 Democrats, 19 Republicans and 2 Independents. The legislation is named after Marine sniper Clay Hunt, who died by suicide in 2011.

Media is encouraged to attend the presser, which will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Room (S-211) in the Capitol.

WHO: Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA CEO and Founder
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
Post-9/11 veterans

WHEN: Monday, February 2, 2015, 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Lyndon Baines Johnson Room, (S-211), United States Capitol