Veterans & Armed Forces Archives - Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

Ensuring our National Security and Standing up for our Veterans

After nearly two decades of war and with foreign powers attempting to interfere in our elections and political processes, America must be both tough and smart to ensure our national security. To best secure our national interests and protect the American people (and our allies) it is vitally important that we ensure our armed forces remain the best-trained, best-prepared and best-equipped in the world.

A strong military, however, is not just a national interest—it’s also a regional one. The Rock Island Arsenal in the Quad-Cities, the Air National Guard base outside Peoria and major aerospace companies in Rockford employ many thousands across our district. That’s why I have prioritized supporting these installations and our local defense industrial base. I helped establish the Center of Excellence for Additive and Advanced Manufacturing at the Rock Island Arsenal, fought to secure $9 million for a new firehouse for the Peoria Air National Guard Base, and through my role on the powerful Appropriations Committee, I helped direct millions of dollars to the Seventeenth Congressional District to strengthen our military and our region.

But, as we provide our troops with everything they need to get the job done, we must also keep our promise to those who have bravely served our nation and sacrificed on our behalf. Our veterans have earned the right to the best care and support possible as they return from battlefields overseas. This is why I support providing returning servicemembers with job training, college opportunities and financial planning to help those transitioning back into our communities and the workforce. I also support fully funding veterans’ health care benefits and ensuring that all veterans—regardless of zip code—have the ability to travel to their appointments and receive their care without lengthy wait times. 

I am also working to make sure the Veterans Administration system is easy to navigate and provides veterans with the needed benefits they earned and deserve. I have made it a priority to hold the VA accountable to make sure they are leaving no veterans behind. That’s why I helped pass the Blue Water Navy Veterans Act to extend the presumption of Agent Orange exposure and pushed the Administration to expeditiously begin processing veteran claims.

If you are a veteran seeking help navigating your benefits or dealing with any federal agency, I can help. Please do not hesitate to contact my office.

More on Veterans & Armed Forces

Press Release

May 11, 2022

Bustos Advocates for Rock Island Arsenal in Defense Budget Hearing

Press Release

April 5, 2022

Bustos, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Recognize the Month of the Military Child

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) joined U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to introduce bipartisan, bicameral resolutions to celebrate April as the Month of the Military Child. “To every child who has said goodbye to a parent during their service to our country or started at a new school due to a military move […]

Press Release

February 28, 2022

Bustos Nominates Five Illinois Students for U.S. Service Academies

MOLINE – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that she has nominated five Illinois students for admission to United States Service Academies for the class entering in the fall of 2022. Each year, Congresswoman Bustos has the honor of nominating qualified young people from Illinois’ 17th Congressional District for attendance at four service academies: the U.S. Military Academy in […]

Press Release

February 18, 2022

Bustos Pushes For Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests For Servicemembers and Their Families

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) joined her colleagues on a letter to the Department of Defense urging Secretary Lloyd Austin to make at-home COVID-19 tests available to service members and their families at no cost and without unnecessary medical requirements. In the letter, the Members encourage the Department of Defense to provide the more than 9.6 […]