Durbin, Bustos: Omnibus Appropriations Bill Improves Rock Island Arsenal Competativeness, Ensures Steady Workload in Future

Press Release

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2014, which was filed in the House and Senate earlier today includes two provisions that will help solidify the future of Rock Island Arsenal. The bill, which reflects a budget agreement between the House and Senate, must now be voted on by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by President Obama.

"As a result of the postwar drawdown and sequestration, Rock Island Arsenal, like many military installations, has seen a decline in workload," said Durbin. "Today's bill stops that decline with minimum workload requirements to maintain critical national security capabilities and targeted spending increases that will allow Rock Island Arsenal to be more competitive with the private sector. Rock Island Arsenal will continue to be a powerful economic engine in the Quad Cities region and a leader in supporting and promoting our nation's defense."

"The Rock Island Arsenal and its workers not only manufacture equipment that arms and protects our troops, but it is also the engine that drives our region's economy," Congresswoman Cheri Bustos said. "This bipartisan bill includes important provisions that will bolster the Arsenal's competitiveness and help guarantee a steady workload for years to come. I'll continue to partner with Senator Durbin and leaders in our bi-state region to ensure the Arsenal and our local economy remain strong in peacetime as well as wartime."

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