Veterans & Armed Forces Archives - Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

Ensuring our National Security and Standing up for our Veterans

After more than a decade at war and with ISIS terrorists doing everything in their power to spread violence across the globe, America must be both tough and smart to ensure our national security. In order to best secure our national interests and protect the American people, as well as our allies in the international community, 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 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. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to ensure that we’re providing our military with the tools they need to succeed while positioning our region to continue to be a leader in our national defense efforts.

But, as we provide our troops with everything they need to get the job done, we must also keep our promise to our veterans who have bravely served our nation, many of whom made tremendous sacrifices 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 strongly 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. I also support fully funding veterans’ health care benefits and providing state-of-the-art care for traumatic brain injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 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. This is why I’m making it a priority to hold the VA accountable for the quality and timeliness of the care they provide to those who have worn the uniform. To read about the current data about how our VA Health Clinics and Hospitals are performing, click here.

More on Veterans & Armed Forces

Press Release

May 9, 2019

Bustos Successfully Fights for Veterans, Rural Health Access in Appropriations Bill

With Critical Bustos Provisions Included, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill Heads to House Floor for Final Passage WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) helped pass a strong Military Construction-Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) funding bill out of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. The legislation will now head to the House floor for final passage. Congresswoman Bustos […]

Press Release

May 2, 2019

Bustos Announces Contract Awarded for Peoria Air National Guard Fire Station

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced the award of a $7,828,000 contract for the construction of a new Fire Crash Rescue Station at the Peoria Air National Guard. This officially takes the Peoria Air National Guard off the table from losing funding as a result of […]

Press Release

May 2, 2019

VIDEO: Bustos Pushes Acting Secretary of Defense on “Make or Buy” Guidance and Cybersecurity

CLICK HERE for video of Congresswoman Bustos WASHINGTON – Yesterday, in a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing regarding the full FY2020 Department of Defense (Department) Budget, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) pushed Acting Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, on the Department’s “Make or Buy” Guidance and how it relates to the work of the Rock […]

Press Release

May 1, 2019

VIDEO: Bustos Advocates for Rock Island Arsenal Manufacturing Capabilities to Navy Secretary

CLICK HERE for video of Congresswoman Bustos WASHINGTON – Yesterday, in a House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing regarding the FY20 Navy and Marine Corps Budget, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) raised the prospect of future partnerships between the Navy and Rock Island Arsenal to the Secretary of Navy, Richard V. Spencer. In June of 2018, Secretary […]