Veterans & Armed Forces Archives - Page 4 of 51

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

May 1, 2019

VIDEO: Bustos Advocates for Rock Island Arsenal Manufacturing Capabilities to Navy Secretary

CLICK HERE for video of Congresswoman Bustos WASHINGTON – Yesterday, in a House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing regarding the FY20 Navy and Marine Corps Budget, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) raised the prospect of future partnerships between the Navy and Rock Island Arsenal to the Secretary of Navy, Richard V. Spencer. In June of 2018, Secretary […]

Press Release

April 11, 2019

Bustos, Wenstrup Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Support Spouses of Injured Servicemembers

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support the spouses of servicemembers who sustain catastrophic injury. The Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act would extend home and automobile leasing protections in the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, allowing the spouses of catastrophically […]

Press Release

April 10, 2019

VIDEO: In Hearing with Army Secretary, Bustos Advocates for Rock Island Arsenal’s Manufacturing Center

Secretary of Army calls Rock Island Arsenal facility “game changer” for Army sustainability WASHINGTON – Yesterday, in a House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing regarding the FY2020 Army budget, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) advocated for the efforts of the Rock Island Arsenal’s Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence and the Army Sustainment Command to the Secretary of […]

Press Release

April 3, 2019

VIDEO: Bustos Stresses Importance of Local Defense Priorities to Air Force Secretary

CLICK HERE for video of Congresswoman Bustos WASHINGTON – In a House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing yesterday afternoon regarding the FY2020 Air Force budget, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) stressed the importance of local defense priorities to the Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson. Yesterday’s hearing gave Congresswoman Bustos an opportunity to follow up on […]