Sorensen Secures Wins for Peoria Air National Guard Base in Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) voted to pass a bipartisan defense spending bill that includes wins he secured for the 182nd Airlift Wing at the Peoria Air National Guard base. The package also includes a 5.2 percent pay raise for service members – the largest in over two decades.
“Our neighbors and their families who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe deserve a well-earned pay raise,” said Sorensen. “Furthermore, these critical investments coming to Central Illinois from this bill ensure that members of the Peoria Air National Guard and their families will have the tools they need to be successful. I am honored to fight for our local heroes in Washington and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this legislation on our communities.”
The 182nd Airlift Wing is set to lose its Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP) – units tasked with carrying out special operations for the United States Air Force. The annual defense bill Sorensen helped pass requires the Department of Defense to report on the costs of decommissioning TACP units, as well as to report on the costs and benefits of replacing these units with Contingency Response Groups (CRGs).
Last year, Sorensen secured an amendment in the Annual Defense Authorization Act with Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) to report on the cost of decommissioning TACP units throughout the country, and on the costs and benefits of replacing these units with CRGs.
The annual defense bill includes $840 million to obtain eight new C-130J aircraft, which will be used to replace aging C-130H aircraft. In September of last year, Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Wing was chosen as a preferred site for new C-130Js. By replacing older models of aircraft with newer ones, this defense spending bill helps the Air Force maintain Air National Guard missions throughout the country – including those at the Peoria Air National Guard base. In this way, the bill helps sustain jobs at the base for the future.
Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
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