Veterans & Armed Forces Archives - Page 4 of 58

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.

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July 6, 2020

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

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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 […]

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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 […]