Veterans & Armed Forces Archives - Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

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

July 14, 2020

Gary Vasquez

“Back in Nov. I contacted your office for help on VA claim for my daughter. I was talking to a Constituent Advocate on this matter. I want to know that I had nothing by a positive response. Staff answered all my questions (sometimes twice), was very respectful, called when they said they would, going above […]

July 13, 2020

James Patrick Bruner

“I contacted Congresswoman Bustos office after requesting my DD214 and noticing I didn’t have all service ribbons on it. After contacting the office I promptly received a phone call. I then filled out all the paperwork they sent me. Shortly after mailing it back I received a letter telling me of the progress of my […]

July 13, 2020

Daniel Williams

“I am a Vietnam veteran. I sent an ‘Application For Correction of Military Record’ with two requests: 1) I feel that I was wrongly reduced in rank prior to discharge and would like the rank of Sergeant reinstated. 2) The Bronze Star is missing my list of medals. I would like this corrected. I mailed […]

July 13, 2020

Franki Cunningham

“I am my father’s guardian. For the past several years I had been receiving my fathers 1099’s for taxes from DFAS. I did not receive them for 2016. I contacted DFAS and they informed me that they sent them to his former address. I informed that I needed a change of address. They could not […]