Service Members and Defense
One of my highest honors in Congress is representing our service members and veterans in Central and Northwestern Illinois. From the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria to the Rock Island Arsenal, our members of the armed forces have always played a key role in strengthening national defense and uplifting our communities.
That’s why I’m committed in Congress to making sure those serving are taken care of and receive the pay and benefits they’ve rightfully earned.
It’s also important to me that our region continues to lead in developing military technologies and supporting readiness, which is why I work to be an advocate for the military operations across the 17th District.
More on Service Members and Defense
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) joined Secretary of the Army, Daniel Driscoll, and other senior military and elected leaders to tour the Rock Island Arsenal amid concerns that hundreds of jobs may be cut. During the visit, Congressman Sorensen highlighted the work of the men and women at the Arsenal who do critical jobs to safeguard our national security.
Congressmen Eric Sorensen (IL-17) confronted U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll about the proposed job cuts at the Rock Island Arsenal during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. Congressman Sorensen expressed concerns that cuts at the Arsenal would damage our nation’s military readiness and demanded answers from Secretary Driscoll on the impact cuts would have on our national security.
Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) voted no against Republican’s partisan big billionaire bailout that makes massive cuts to the SNAP food assistance program and Medicaid health insurance to pay for a huge tax break for billionaires.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Blake Moore (UT-01) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) led a bipartisan letter urging Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to maintain support for the Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC).
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) today announced his appointment to the House Armed Services Committee for the 119th Congress, along with assignments to two critical subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Readiness and the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.
These roles enhance Sorensen's ability to advocate for the Rock Island Arsenal and Peoria Air National Guard Base—two cornerstones of Illinois’ 17th District.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is now accepting applications from high school students in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District seeking nominations to a U.S. Service Academy for the Fall 2025 term. The deadline for applications is Friday, November 1, 2024, at 5:00 P.M CT.
ROCK ISLAND, IL – Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), visited Rock Island Arsenal to discuss current manufacturing operations and how Congress can continue to support the Arsenal.
On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) appeared on WHBF to discuss the introduction of his bipartisan bill, the Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act, which provides more resources to border patrol agents to find the fentanyl that is coming across and secure the southern border.
On Thursday, Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17) introduced the bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act. This bill would increase funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), helping provide them with additional resources that are needed to combat the fentanyl crisis.