Kyrsten SinemaVerified account

"I am committed to ensuring no veteran feels trapped like Sergeant Somers did - and that all of our veterans have access to appropriate mental health care."

SGT Somers’ parents "Howard and Jean faced the world, bravely shared SGT Somers’ story, and created a mission of their own. Their mission is to ensure that SGT Somers’ story brings to light America’s deadliest war: the 20 veterans we lose to suicide in this country every day."

"While serving in the House, I worked with Howard & Jean to develop and pass into law the Daniel Somers Classified Veterans Access to Care Act–legislation that ensures veterans who serve in a classified capacity receive behavioral health services in an appropriate care setting."

"Now, it’s time to take the next innovative step to provide the support our servicemembers and veterans have earned. The Somers family and I have worked over the past several months with the @DeptofDefense on new legislation to create a “Network of Support."

"Our legislation requires each new servicemember be asked for the names of loved ones he or she considers to be part of a network of support. In return, the @DeptofDefense and the @RedCross will provide information about benefits and services available to military members."

"And, working as a team across party lines, we successfully included the Network of Support legislation in the national defense bill passed by both the Senate and the House over the past few weeks."

"As we continue this work, I am urging my colleagues to join me in expanding this critical program. Together we can help ensure that all veterans have networks to turn to so they never have to face their challenges alone."

"The story of Sergeant Somers and his parents - the failure of the VA bureaucracy to provide the support this Arizona veteran needed, and the resulting tragedy - is not a story that dominated the national headlines."