Cassidy Introduces Legislation to Provide Employment Assistance to Spouses of Veterans who Died by Suicide

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced the Veteran Suicide Spousal Career Services Act to ensure spouses of veterans who died by suicide because of a service-connected disability have access to career counseling and employment services. “When a veteran dies by suicide, the surviving spouse is left to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. A steady job provides purpose, stability, and a path forward. This bill creates that opportunity,” said Dr. Cassidy. Background Senator Cassidy previously applauded the expansion of career services for spouses for surviving military spouses through the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act. This legislation broadened access to employment assistance through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Disabled Veterans Outreach Program. This program provides funding for states to hire workforce specialists, providing individualized career counseling support with localized knowledge to eligible surviving spouses.