Reps. Min and Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Fostering TRUST Act to Strengthen Transparency Around Veteran Suicides

Washington, D.C. - Representatives Dave Min (D-CA-47) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), introduced the Fostering Transparency, Understanding, and Support for Veterans Act of 2026 (Fostering TRUST Act) today. This bipartisan legislation would increase accountability and transparency when a veteran dies by suicide or attempts suicide at or on the grounds of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility or a facility participating in VA's Community Care network. The bill would require the VA to notify the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and the Member offices representing both the district where the facility is located and the district where the veteran resides when these tragic incidents occur, ensuring Congress has the information needed to conduct oversight and support veterans, families, and communities.

"Our veterans put everything on the line to serve our country, and they deserve a government that is fully accountable to them and their families," said Rep. Min. "Every veteran suicide is a tragedy, and Congress has a responsibility to understand when and where these incidents occur. The Fostering TRUST Act is about transparency, accountability, and making sure we are doing everything we can to better support veterans in crisis. We cannot strengthen oversight, improve care, or help prevent future tragedies without timely, accurate information."

"Our veterans earned a system that is attentive, accountable, and worthy of their service. When a veteran is lost or reaches a point of crisis while receiving care through the VA, accountability cannot depend on informal practice or chance," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "Our bill provides a clear, responsible process to help support families, identify gaps in care, and strengthen the system for the next veteran hero who needs help. I will always fight to make sure the men and women who served our nation receive not only our gratitude, but the vigilance, care, and support worthy of their service and sacrifice."

"Our veterans carried the burden of serving this nation, and we have an obligation to do everything in our power to support them when they come home. The Fostering TRUST Act is a critical to combatting the veteran suicide crisis," said Former Rep. Max Rose, VoteVets Senior Advisor. "By ensuring Congress is informed when suicides or suicide attempts occur at VA facilities or in community care settings, this legislation will strengthen oversight, improve accountability, and help identify where veterans in crisis are falling through the cracks. VoteVets is proud to support the Fostering TRUST Act. We applaud Representatives Dave Min and Brian Fitzpatrick for their leadership and urge Congress to pass it without delay."

"Minority Veterans of America supports the TRUST Act of 2026 as a necessary step toward accountability and transparency in how the Department of Veterans Affairs addresses veteran suicide," said Colonel Lorry Fenner (USAF), MVA Senior Policy Advisor. "By requiring timely notification to Congress and local representatives, this legislation strengthens oversight, ensures no loss is hidden from scrutiny, and reinforces our collective responsibility to prevent further tragedies among those who have served."

"Every veteran suicide is a tragedy, but every additional insight we gain can help us prevent future loss of life," said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "The TRUST Act of 2026 would increase transparency & accountability between the VA and Congress, including when veterans are seen via community care - ultimately improving actionable efforts to reduce veteran suicide."

"Veteran suicide prevention requires more than compassion; it requires transparency, coordination, and accountability across systems of care," said Selena Gibbs, mother of Zach McIlwain, a veteran who died by suicide in 2024 and for whom IAVAs flagship fellowship program is named. "My son Zach served his country honorably, and like many veterans, he carried invisible wounds long after returning home. Losing him taught me that veteran suicide is not an abstract policy issue; it is personal, devastating, and life-altering for families left behind. The TRUST Act would help ensure that Congress and communities are informed when tragedies occur so that patterns, gaps, and missed opportunities for intervention are not overlooked. Every veteran deserves a system committed not only to treatment, but to learning and improving when lives are lost."

A previous version of this legislation, then called the FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act, was introduced by former Representative Max Rose during the 116th Congress and passed the House on a suspension voice vote. The Fostering TRUST Act builds on that effort by adding language to cover non-VA medical facilities and ensure no veteran is left behind.

This legislation is also supported by Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Chuy Garcia (IL-04), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Mike Thompson (CA-04).

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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