Veterans & Armed Forces

Keeping Our Promises to Our Veterans and Supporting Our Armed Forces

In order to best secure our national interests and promote the safety and security of the American people, as well as our friends in the international community, it is vitally important that we ensure our armed forces remain the best-trained and best-equipped in the world.

A strong military is in the interest of the nation as a whole, as well as our region.  The Rock Island Arsenal in the Quad-Cities, the Air National Guard unit based outside Peoria, and major aerospace companies in Rockford employ many thousands across our district.  I will work to ensure our vital military assets are enhanced and protected to meet the challenges of the future.

Veterans and service members have bravely served their country, at a real sacrifice to themselves and their families.  They deserve to be provided with the best possible care and help as they return from battlefields overseas.  I support fully funding veterans’ health care benefits and to provide state-of-the-art care for traumatic brain injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  I will work to make sure the Veterans Administration system is easy to navigate and provides veterans with the needed benefits they earned and deserve.  In addition, I support providing returning service members with job training, college opportunities, and financial planning in order to help those transitioning back into our communities and the workforce.