Veterans & Armed Forces Archives - Page 4 of 69

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

January 12, 2022

Bustos Helps Pass Legislation to Expand GI Bill Benefits to National Guard & Reserves

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, voted to pass the bipartisan Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021. The bill would make GI Bill benefits consistent between members of the National Guard and Reserve who increasingly conduct similar training and missions as […]

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December 16, 2021

Bustos Statement on Signing of Legislation Honoring Service Members Killed in Afghanistan

MOLINE — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement on the signing of legislation to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal honoring service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. On August 26, 2021, during the emergency evacuation of citizens of the United States and vulnerable Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International […]

Press Release

November 24, 2021

Bustos Statement on Senate Passage of Legislation Honoring Service Members Killed in Afghanistan

MOLINE — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement in support of legislation to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal honoring servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. On August 26, 2021, during the emergency evacuation of citizens of the United States and vulnerable Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International Airport, 13 […]

Press Release

November 11, 2021

Bustos Statement Honoring Veterans Day

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement honoring Veterans Day. “Each Veterans Day, we have the opportunity to honor the service of our heroic Armed Forces – both those serving today and those no longer in uniform – and the chance to thank them for the tremendous sacrifice made to protect […]