TOURS Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
- Committees
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 30, 2026
Bottom line
The bill formalizes VA suicide prevention reporting to Congress and initiates a study into the role of spiritual and faith-based support in reducing veteran suicide risk.
What it actually does
This bill, known as the "TOURS Act," codifies the requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to produce an annual report on veteran suicide prevention and provide annual briefings to Congress. It also mandates a two-year study by the VA to examine the relationship between veterans' engagement with the Chaplain Service and other faith-based programs and their risk of suicide, with annual reports to Congress on the study's findings.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that codifying the annual suicide prevention report ensures consistent oversight and accountability for the VA's critical efforts. They contend that the mandated study on chaplain services and faith-based programs is essential to understand and potentially leverage spiritual support as a valuable, yet under-researched, component of holistic veteran mental health and suicide prevention strategies.
Opponents contend
Critics might express concerns about the methodological challenges of isolating the impact of faith-based engagement on suicide risk, the potential for perceived endorsement of specific faiths, or the allocation of resources to study faith-based interventions over other evidence-based mental health treatments. They may also worry about inadvertently compromising the voluntary and confidential nature of chaplaincy services, despite the bill's stated limitations.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick read and evaluation.
Section 2
Codification of National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report and Annual Briefing
This section amends existing law to make it a permanent requirement for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, through the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, to produce an annual report on suicide prevention. It also mandates that this report be submitted to the Veterans' Affairs Committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives, and that the Secretary provide an annual briefing on the report to these committees.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that codifying this annual report ensures consistent oversight and accountability for veteran suicide prevention efforts, making it a permanent fixture rather than a discretionary activity. It reinforces Congress's role in monitoring the VA's performance in this critical area, potentially leading to more effective interventions.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against codifying existing reporting requirements, especially for a sensitive topic like veteran suicide prevention, unless it is seen as overly burdensome or redundant without clear added value.
Tradeoffs
The primary tradeoff is the administrative burden on the VA to produce and brief on the report versus the benefit of enhanced transparency and congressional oversight, which could lead to better policy decisions and resource allocation for suicide prevention.
Section 3
Study on the Effect of VA Chaplain Service and Faith-Based Programs on Veteran Suicide Risk
This section directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a two-year study, starting by January 1, 2027, to investigate the relationship between veterans' engagement with the VA's Chaplain Service and other faith-based programs and their risk of suicide. The study must define measurable engagement categories, track mental health service use involving chaplains, collect data across VA facilities, assess correlations with mental health outcomes (including suicide-related behaviors), and identify best practices. It includes safeguards to ensure veteran consent, confidentiality of medical records and religious communications, and that chaplaincy services remain voluntary. Annual reports on the study's progress and findings are required.