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

February 26, 2019

VIDEO: Bustos Presses VA Secretary on Veterans’ Access to Health Care, Transportation in Rural Areas

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 Robert Wilkie during a Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee hearing. Congresswoman Bustos drew on past conversations she has had with local veterans, which is […]

Press Release

February 13, 2019

Bustos Meets with Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of the National Guard to Outline Defense Priorities for Illinois’ 17th District

CLICK HERE for a photo of Congresswoman Bustos and Secretary Wilson CLICK HERE for a photo of Congresswoman Bustos, General Lengyel and National Guard Leadership WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) outlined defense priorities for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District in meetings with Heather Wilson, Secretary of the Air Force and General Joseph Lengyel, Chief of […]

Press Release

February 8, 2019

Bustos Delivers Key Defense Appropriations Priorities to Acting Secretary, Top Officials at Pentagon

WASHINGTON – Today at the Pentagon, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) hand-delivered her top defense appropriations priorities for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District to Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan. Congresswoman Bustos is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense – which oversees the Pentagon and nearly all defense spending. Also at the meeting were […]

Press Release

February 6, 2019

VIDEO: Bustos Reminds Illinoisans to Submit “Valentines for Veterans” by Friday

VIDEO: Bustos, Students Urge Participation in “Valentines for Veterans” WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) reminded Illinoisans that the deadline to submit a handmade Valentine’s Day card as part of her sixth annual “Valentines for Veterans” program is this Friday, February 8. “With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, I want to remind everyone to join me […]