Fellow
Illinoisans,
This
week,
the
Defense
Appropriations
Subcommittee
approved
the
Department
of
Defense
Appropriations
Act,
legislation
to
fund
America’s
national
defense
for
2017.
As
Vice
Chairman
of
the
Subcommittee,
I’ve
fought
to
make
certain
this
defense
bill
takes
a
responsible
approach
to
protecting
our
country
by
defeating
ISIL
on
the
ground
in
Iraq
and
Syria
and
preventing
terrorism
here
at
home.
The
bill
honors
the
bipartisan
budget
deal
in
place,
fully
funds
overseas
operations,
and
supports
the
men
and
women
who
make
Illinois
a
critical
piece
of
our
country’s
national
security.
Click
here
to
learn
more
about
how
our
bill
protects
America’s
national
defense
needs.
As
Secretary
of
Defense
Ash
Carter
has
stressed,
we
will
not
take
chances
when
it
comes
to
funding
the
men
and
women
serving
in
forward
positions.
Instead,
our
bill
makes
sure
troops
serving
in
Afghanistan
and
the
Middle
East
have
the
resources
they
need,
funds
our
military
bases,
and
fully
funds
counter-ISIL
efforts.
This
bill
also
streamlines
funding
for
cooperative
defense
programs,
so
our
Armed
Forces
will
spend
more
time
working
with
coalitions
partners
and
less
time
dealing
with
red
tape.
Not
only
does
our
bill
support
our
troops,
bases,
and
efforts
overseas,
but
it
also
supports
our
troops
and
their
families
at
home.
Included
in
the
bill
is
funding
for
pay
increases
for
our
service
members,
and
funding
for
programs
that
support
the
health
and
education
of
our
military
and
civilian
personnel.
Department
of
Defense
efforts
in
medical
and
basic
scientific
research
continue
to
yield
impressive
results,
improving
the
effectiveness
and
security
of
our
warfighters,
while
also
improving
the
overall
quality
of
life
for
Americans
and
making
significant
contributions
to
the
nation’s
economy.
Our
bill
continues
critical
investments
to
maintain
this
progress
and
ensures
we
are
prepared
for
the
future
fight.
If
you
are
an
Illinoisan
visiting
D.C.
call
my
office
(202-224-2152)
and
ask
for
more
information
on
how
to
attend
an
Illinois
Constituent
Coffee.
Sincerely,
Dick
Durbin
United
States
Senator
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