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

March 4, 2020

VIDEO: Bustos Questions VA Secretary on Coronavirus Response, Transportation for Rural Veterans

CLICK HERE for a video of Congresswoman Bustos questioning Secretary Wilkie Washington – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert Wilkie during a Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee hearing. Congresswoman Bustos asked Secretary Wilkie how the VA is coordinating with the Department […]

Press Release

March 3, 2020

VIDEO: Bustos Questions National Guard Chief on More Than $1 Billion of Funding Diverted from National Guard Modernization

National Guard Chief: “It is a significant impact to us.” Funding Diversion Could Impact Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Wing WASHINGTON – Today, in a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) questioned National Guard Bureau Chief, General Joseph L. Lengyel, on the recent diversion of more than $1 billion in federal funds that […]

Press Release

February 27, 2020

BUSTOS, DURBIN, DUCKWORTH TO DOD: DIVERTING BORDER WALL FUNDING FROM NATIONAL GUARD TO PRESIDENT’S BORDER WALL IS SHORTSIGHTED & POLITICAL, HURTS 182ND WING IN PEORIA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), today sent a letter to the Department of Defense (DOD) expressing their dismay about the transfer of $1.3 billion appropriated for National Guard and Reserve Equipment and $169 million appropriated for Air Guard C-130Js for the construction […]

Press Release

February 25, 2020

Bustos, Wenstrup Bill to Support Gold Star Families Passes the House

Legislation would extend protections to dependents of fallen and catastrophically injured service members Washington – Today, the House unanimously passed Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Congressman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH)’s bipartisan legislation to support Gold Star families. The Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act builds on the protections of the […]