The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today, the annual bill which funds the Department of Defense. The bill passed 389-22.

The bill included an amendment by Congressman Harry Teague that would set up a post-deployment mental health screening program for service members. The amendment, named the Kyle Barthel Veterans and Service Members Mental Health Screening Act after a Las Crucen who struggled with PTSD and eventually committed suicide after returning home from combat, was introduced by Teague in Las Cruces in May.

“Our veterans need and deserve the best care our nation can offer and that includes mental healthcare,” the Hobbs Democrat said in a statement. “The program we are establishing with this amendment is a step in the right direction toward stemming the tide of tragic incidents associated with PTSD.”

Congressman Ben Ray Luján also voted for the bill, highlighting an amendment by Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., which would provide for an exit strategy from Afghanistan.

“This amendment would have required the Secretary of Defense to outline a responsible exit strategy by the end of the year while fully supporting our troops,” Luján, a Santa Fe Democrat, is quoted as saying. “I will continue to advocate to responsibly end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

First Congressional District Congressman Martin Heinrich, an Albuquerque Democrat, also voted for the bill.