WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Appropriations Committee, announced today that President Donald Trump signed H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act and Continuing Appropriations Act, into law on Friday.  This legislation contains four amendments authored by Sen. Kennedy, including a historic 66% increase in funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

“It is absolutely tragic that suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. Resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provide help and hope to those who don’t know where else to turn during a dark time,” said Sen. Kennedy. “In Louisiana alone, the suicide rate has risen by 29% from 1999 to 2016. I am very proud to lead this effort, and I will continue do what I can to uplift and support those who rely on this lifeline for help.”  

In addition to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline funding, Sen. Kennedy authored three more amendments that were signed into law:

• S. Amdt. 3881, which reduces fraud and waste in the Department of Labor by implementing a plan to reduce improper payments.
• S. Amdt. 3880, which prohibits awarding federal contracts to companies that have unpaid federal taxes.
• S. Amdt. 3727, which bans using taxpayer dollars for monetary assistance to Iran.

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