WASHINGTON – The U.S House passed Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s Sgt. Daniel Somers Network of Support Act as part of the annual defense bill. Sinema’s legislation now advances to House-Senate negotiations over the broader defense bill.
Sinema secured her bipartisan Sgt. Daniel Somers Network of Support Act in the Senate-passed version of the defense bill, and the U.S. House included the legislation in their version of the bill this week. The legislation was inspired by Sgt. Daniel Somers, an Arizona Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq and was diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD upon returning home. He lost his life to suicide in 2013.
“Our servicemembers put their lives on the line to keep Arizona safe and secure, and I am committed to providing them the support and resources they need. Our legislation directly engages and equips servicemembers’ loved ones, to strengthen support for servicemembers in times of need,” said Sinema.
Sgt. Daniel Somers Network of Support Act:
Legislation named after Arizona Army Veteran Sergeant Daniel Somers who served two tours in Iraq and was diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD upon returning home. He lost his life to suicide in 2013.
Over the past five years, Sinema has worked with Daniel’s parents, Howard and Jean Somers, to advance legislation to help servicemembers receive the care they’ve earned. Together, they introduced the Network of Support Act.
The bill requires the Defense Department and the Red Cross to collect from new servicemembers the names of loved ones they consider to be their networks of support. In return, the Department of Defense and Red Cross will provide information about benefits and services available to military members.
By directly engaging families and loved ones, the Department can prepare and equip military friends and families to better understand military life, notice when a servicemember struggles, and ensure they have access to the necessary tools to help a servicemember get assistance or care.