The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORT OF H.R. 7900, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2023
______
HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act. My amendments seek to better understand the mental health challenges and mechanisms of support available to servicemembers; mandate strong reports which will be critical in enacting better policy for servicemembers in the future; and make defense communities more resilient to the growing threat of climate change.
The first amendment (Amendment No. 322), which my colleague, Congresswoman Elaine Luria, has cosponsored, represents an important step forward in better understanding and combatting the epidemic of suicide facing not just the Navy, but the entire armed forces. There is a dearth of information about suicide and suicide prevention in the Navy, particularly on Navy ships. This is why directing the Inspector General of the Department of Defense to compile and publish a report on instances of suicide, suicide prevention, and response within the Navy is so important. This report will be comprehensive and desperately needed, given how little we truly understand why some sailors choose to end their lives, as well as the failures of command and areas where available resources have failed to catch and prevent these tragedies.
Additionally, the report will contain a survey of the mental health teams found on Navy ships and installations, so that we might better understand the limitations faced by these critical teams to properly treat, prevent, and respond to instances of suicidal ideation, suicidal intent, and suicidal attempts of the crewmembers they serve. These mental health teams are critical components of every unit, but do not always have the staff or resources available to provide necessary treatment and counseling to the sailors under their care. This report will be critical in better understanding the shortfalls these teams face, which will allow us to set them up for better successes in the future.
The discussion of suicides in the Navy is a personal one. I have lost constituents in the Navy, particularly this year wherein the shocking number of sailors who died by suicide while serving on the USS George Washington in Newport News, Virginia made national headlines. It is my belief that this DoD report will be the first step in better understanding how to prevent another, similar tragedy and see where the Navy could be doing more to actively support its servicemembers during times of mental and emotional crisis.
My second amendment (Amendment No. 323) requires the Inspector General of the Department of Defense to survey and report on programs across the armed services which allow servicemembers to file anonymous complaints and concerns without fear of identification or reprisal from command.
The chain of command is something that every soldier and employee of the Department of Defense is taught to respect from the earliest days of training. Soldiers know there are some issues they cannot voice without risking the ire of their commanding officers or drawing undue attention to themselves, even if the nature of their complaint is a valid quality of life concern, a note about morale, a safety issue, or any reasonable request for support from existing Department services and programs.
Programs which allow anonymous complaint filing for servicemembers fill a critical gap of inter-unit communication by encouraging soldiers to advocate for themselves through a channel which they know will protect their identity and be taken seriously and reviewed on its merits. However, there is currently no DoD-wide review of where such programs exist, making it difficult to gauge their level of user participation, analyze data on the sorts of complaints filed, or even know which units and branches support such programs. This is a gap in knowledge that merits a proper review by the Department of Defense, so that we may better understand what support our soldiers are asking for and where they are and aren't being given the opportunity to even ask.
My third amendment (Amendment No. 321) seeks to improve adaptation and emergency management coordination between state, local, and federal entities in defense communities, especially the Department of Defense. By creating interagency regional resilience coordinator positions in defense communities, this amendment will enhance military readiness and community resilience. I was pleased to have the support of my colleagues, Congresswoman Luria, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and veteran of the Navy; Congressman Wittman, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee; Congressman McEachin; and Congresswoman Sanchez on this important amendment.
As a Nation, our aging stormwater infrastructure, housing stock, emergency management systems, and power grid exacerbate the threats of climate change. Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the United States is making our infrastructure more resilient and creating jobs in the process. These investments in our infrastructure will help protect our communities and prevent needless loss and human suffering.
The Department of Defense recognizes that, as the climate changes,
``leveraging knowledge and actions when planning climate change adaptation and emergency preparedness and response requires expanded collaboration with surrounding communities.'' This is especially true in Hampton Roads, Virginia due to the significant federal footprint, including 15 military bases, and the region's geographic complexities.
In my district and throughout Hampton Roads, communities play an essential role in supporting critical defense installations. Community assets, infrastructure, and services ensure the region's bases are ready and provide the region's 83,000 active-duty service members and their families with amenities to live, get to work, and recreate. The threat of sea level rise and increasingly frequent and severe storms, however, jeopardize these community services and military readiness.
Fortunately, the region has developed strong cooperation and expertise in this regard. This acumen and spirit of collaboration are clear in the two recent Joint Land Use Studies and a 2016 report released following the Hampton Roads Sea Level Rise Preparedness and Resilience Intergovernmental Pilot Project.
Thanks to the hard work of local governments, federal partners, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, and academic support from Old Dominion University and others, much has been done to implement the recommendations of these studies.
That being said, much work remains to be done. Recommendations from the earlier pilot project and Joint Land Use Studies that are ripe for action include a number of items that require collaboration with the federal government. The establishment of Interagency Regional Coordinators for Resilience positions would be well suited to address persistent challenges that have hindered the ``whole of government'' and ``whole of community'' approach that the growing threats require.
As the climate continues to change, lessons learned from these partnerships would be beneficial to defense communities and others that support federal entities and assets of national importance.
Addressing the threat of climate change and ensuring members of the armed services have access to comprehensive mental health services and mechanisms to confidently advocate for their quality of life is not only crucial to ensuring military readiness, addressing these threats is morally imperative.
Lastly, I am pleased that my amendment (Amendment No. 618) regarding the transfer of federal land currently occupied by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the City of Norfolk has been included in this package. I am disappointed to lose a valuable asset in my district as they continue their planned move to Rhode Island, and it is important that this economic impact does not further affect the city. Transferring the land without cost to the city and in a timely manner will allow Norfolk and the Army Corps of Engineers to better protect the city from future flooding.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Smith for his work on behalf of our Nation's military and his support for these initiatives, and I urge my colleagues to support these important amendments.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 116(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 116(2)
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