Where is the Republican Leadership? Stalled Suicide Prevention Bill Irks Iowa Democratic Veterans

Published: September 18, 2007, 12:16 pm

Like death itself, suicide is a nonpartisan issue, but Sen. Tom Coburn's, R-Okla., procedural hold on a bill that would help prevent suicide among veterans has thrown a partisan cog into the congressional machine. The Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention bill (S. 479), introduced in the House by Iowa Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-3rd District, sailed through the House in March, passing by a vote of 423-0. And now, Iowa Democratic veterans are speaking out against silence on the matter among the Republican leadership -- in particular, the GOP presidential candidates. "This is clear bipartisan support for a bill of vital importance," said Bob Krause, chair of the Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus. "We are surprised that none of the Republican presidential candidates has publicly voiced objection to Senator Tom Coburn's action that continues to block debate on the measure in the Senate." Coburn has vowed to continue his hold on the Joshua Omvig bill, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tom Harkin,

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