Congress is looking for ways to address a recent string of suicide deaths at the military’s premier digital warfighting organization, hoping to provide more mental and emotional support to personnel at a time when the tempo and duration of cyber operations have reached new heights.

Congressional sources say they view the deaths of U.S. Cyber Command personnel as an inflection point, especially as the Pentagon’s appetite for cyber capabilities grows following successful contributions to high-profile missions against Iran and Venezuela. The cluster of deaths was first reported by Bloomberg. 

“It certainly shows stress on the system and that this is the time for us to react,” one congressional source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, told Recorded Future News.

The most likely legislative vehicle to get more resources in place soon would be the annual defense policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets Pentagon policies and spending levels for national security programs. It’s typically voted on near the end of the calendar year and congressional aides will be working on the latest version while lawmakers are on the campaign trail.

Past and current military cyber operators were quick to note that it is unknown if work was a factor in the decision by these service members and civilian personnel to take their own lives. 

Still, some drew similarities to beginning of the Global War on Terrorism, when drone pilots died by suicide, noting that on top of the months-long conflict with Iran and ongoing offensive and defensive cyber operations against foreign adversaries like Russia and China, digital missions now include Southern border control and counter-narcotics.

“This is something that, unfortunately, I think a lot of people … I wouldn't say saw coming but knew was going to be a possibility based on the work that goes on at Fort Meade,” according to Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), referring to the command’s headquarters, which is also home to the National Security Agency.