Senate bill would tackle military suicides

Sen. John Walsh (D-Mont.) introduced legislation Thursday that would take steps to try to curb the number of veterans who commit suicide.

{mosads}The bill from Walsh, the first Iraq veteran in the Senate, would extend combat eligibility for healthcare to 15 years, repay student loans for psychiatrists who work for the Department of Veterans Affairs and set up reviews of discharges that stemmed from mental-health issues.

Walsh, who was appointed to his Senate seat this year in the midst of his 2014 Senate campaign, teamed up with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) to unveil his legislation.

Walsh spoke at an event on the National Mall with IAVA. The veterans group is making a lobbying push this week as part of its campaign to combat suicides.