H.R. 9247 is a bill that aims to improve suicide prevention efforts for veterans by requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that a dedicated suicide prevention coordinator is available at every Department of Veterans Affairs medical center. This requirement includes ensuring that these coordinators are accessible even outside of regular operating hours.
The bill has been praised for its proactive approach to addressing the mental health crisis among veterans, highlighting the importance of accessible support services. Advocates for veterans' mental health have commended the initiative as a necessary step in providing timely assistance and reducing suicide rates in the veteran community.
Critics of the bill have raised concerns about the feasibility of implementing such a requirement at all medical centers, particularly in rural areas where resources may be limited. Some have argued that the focus should instead be on broader systemic reforms rather than adding specific coordinators, which may not address the root causes of veteran suicide.
The analysis of H.R. 9247 reveals no direct industry overlaps between the sponsor Erin Houchin's top donor industries and the bill's subject matter, which focuses on suicide prevention coordinators at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. The total lobbying activity in this policy area includes contributions from various organizations, such as $10,000 from Monroe Energy, LLC and $20,000 from the American Council of Independent Laboratories. However, these contributions do not directly relate to the mental health or suicide prevention sectors, indicating a low risk of conflict of interest. Voters should be aware that while there is significant lobbying activity, it does not appear to influence the specific legislative intent of this bill significantly.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN SUBCONTRACTOR ASSOCIATION | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $30,000 |
| FCA INTERNATIONAL | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL OF INDEPENDENT LABORATORIES | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $20,000 |
| FINISHING TRADES INSTITUTE OF THE MID ATLANTIC REGION | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $15,000 |
| STEAMFITTERS LOCAL 420 | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $12,000 |
| MONROE ENERGY, LLC | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $10,000 |
| UPSTATE NIAGARA COOPERATIVE, INC. | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $10,000 |
| AGRI-MARK, INC | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $10,000 |
| FRIENDS OF FATHER JUDGE HIGH SCHOOL, INC. | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | $6,000 |
| LABOR & ENERGY ALLIANCE | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | undisclosed |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MIDDLE TENNESSEE | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | undisclosed |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS INDEPENDENCE REGION | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | undisclosed |
| EKLUTNA, INC | EKLUTNA, INC. | undisclosed |
| CARPENTERS' COMPANY OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION - PENN-DEL-JERSEY CHAPTER | OSCAR POLICY GROUP, LLC | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Erin Houchin, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
