Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) voted to pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains several provisions advocated for by Sorensen, including initiatives to support the Rock Island Arsenal, an amendment to preserve jobs at the Peoria Air National Guard base, and the largest pay raise for service members in over 20 years.
“I'm pleased that the initiatives I fought for to support Central and Northwestern Illinois were included in this year's defense policy bill,” said Sorensen. “This legislation directly impacts our troops and their families, including the brave service members at the Rock Island Arsenal, the Peoria Air National Guard base, and across Illinois. The pay raise for our military personnel is crucial and I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law."
The NDAA authorizes funding to keep our nation safe, including a well-deserved 5.2 percent pay increase for military personnel. This year’s defense authorization bill also includes several provisions led by Sorensen.
Sorensen, along with Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16), secured language in the bill to protect jobs at the 182nd Airlift Wing based in Peoria, ensuring our service members and their families in Central Illinois have the tools they need to succeed.
Specifically, their language directs the Air Force to issue a report to Congress on the costs of decommissioning Tactical Air Control Party (TAC-P) units – teams tasked with carrying out special operations for the Air Force. The 182nd Airlift Wing is currently set to lose its TAC-P units, and this report will bring light to the consequences of these closures and support a plan to keep jobs at the base under new units.
Also included in the annual defense package is language submitted by Sorensen requiring a report on the role of Mission Training Complexes in ensuring troop readiness in the face of emerging threats. Information from this report will allow the Rock Island Arsenal to better position itself to receive a Mission Training Complex, bringing jobs to the Quad Cities area. The legislation passed both chambers of Congress and now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.