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

September 13, 2018

Congresswoman Bustos’ Legislation to Rename the Post Office in Alpha, Illinois after Fallen Hero Captain Joshua E. Steele Passes in the House

WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation that Congresswoman Bustos introduced to designate the U.S. Post Office at 108 D Street in Alpha, Illinois, as the “Captain Joshua E. Steele Post Office.” Captain Steele was an American hero who was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 17, 2007 while serving in Operation […]

Press Release

September 13, 2018

Bustos Helps Pass Bipartisan Bill to Fund Veterans Affairs, Military Construction, Energy and Water Development, and the Legislative Branch

Bill includes funding for Peoria Air National Guard’s new firehouse WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos voted to help pass a bipartisan bill to fund Energy and Water Development, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch for fiscal year 2019. While the passage of this bill does not completely avert the threat […]

Press Release

August 3, 2018

Congresswoman Bustos Accepting Applications for Military Academy Nominations

MOLINE, IL – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that she is accepting applications from high school students from across Illinois’ 17th District for nominations to the United States Service Academies for the class entering in the fall of 2019. “Our military academies provide our nation’s young people with not only a first-class education, but […]

Press Release

July 26, 2018

Congresswoman Bustos’ Bill to Rename the Pekin Post Office in Honor of Lance Corporal Jordan Bastean Signed Into Law

Lance Cpl. Bastean died protecting our nation in Helmand Province Afghanistan on October 23rd, 2011 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced that her bill renaming the Post Office at 514 Broadway Street in Pekin, Illinois as the “Lance Corporal Jordan S. Bastean Post Office” has been signed into law. This bill reached the […]