Protecting U.S. troops in the Middle East.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, has returned from a Congressional Mission to the Middle East that included stops in Israel and Qatar.
“It was really a chance for me, on this trip, to see firsthand how we can make sure that our men and women in uniform have the resources that they need to protect our country,” Bustos said.
Bustos’ visit was part of a delegation led by Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and International Terrorism. Bustos was joined by Democratic and Republican members of Congress.
“As members of Congress, we have a responsibility to engage with our global partners on issues of mutual interests, including new economic pursuits, global security threats, and promoting democratic principles,” Deutch said.
In addition to the Middle East, the group visited Souda Bay Naval Support Activity, a key military asset in Greece, and met with political and security leaders in Switzerland and Cyprus.
Bustos spent the 4th of July holiday with troops from Illinois stationed in Israel. Israel is the United States’ strongest ally in the Middle East, that is why Bustos said it was important to go there.
“We wanted to make sure they understood that we know how critical is it that we stand with them against any hostile actors, especially Iran,” Bustos told reporters via a conference call.
While in Israel, the U.S. delegation met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of the Knesset, Israel’s legislative body, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.
Bustos says this week, lawmakers are working to pass the full National Defense Authorization Act. It would provide, what she calls, the most robust defense budget in the nation’s history at $733 billion.
“It will support our troops with a three-percent pay raise, and it also authorizes $11.5 billion dollars in military construction,” Bustos said.
Bustos says she will continue to work to make sure U.S. military has the tools it needs to keep the nation safe.
