Text of Senate Amendment 6359

On 2026-06-24, Senator Cory A. Booker (D-NJ) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6359" in the Senate.

Text of Senate Amendment 6359

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3479] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6359. Mr. BOOKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle D of title VII add the following: SEC. 771. STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. (a) Plan.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of each military department and the Director of the Defense Health Agency, shall develop a strategic plan to address suicide by members of the Armed Forces and the mental health services provided to such members. (b) Elements.--The plan under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) Developing and enforcing uniform protocols with respect to-- (A) the regulations prescribed for the self-initiated referral process under section 1090b(e) of title 10, United States Code, for members of the Armed Forces seeking mental health evaluations; and (B) the provision of information, including through workplace posters, flyers, and advertisements, to ensure members of the Armed Forces are aware of such referral process. (2) Standardized mental health training for members of the Armed Forces, including-- (A) specialized training for commanders, senior enlisted leaders, and medical personnel on identifying and addressing mental health concerns; (B) the development of a certification process based on completion of training with documented proof of compliance; (C) training on how to respond when a member of the Armed Forces initiates the referral process under section 1090b(e) of title 10, United States Code; and (D) training on how to recognize signs indicating mental health distress. ______