Durbin: Defense Appropriations Bill Protects Illinois Priorities

Press Release

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, which provides $575.9 billion in funding for the military and intelligence community, our national security requirements and the daily needs of over two million active duty and reserve servicemembers.

"Illinois has long taken a leadership role in our nation's defense. Not only does our state claim three of our country's most important and dynamic defense installations -- Rock Island Arsenal, Scott Air Force Base, and Naval Station Great Lakes -- we are also home to 13,000 National Guardsmen who serve in units throughout Illinois," Durbin said.

"As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, I have worked with my colleagues to maintain our state's leadership and to ensure that Illinois servicemembers, their families, and our military and civilian workforce have the support they need and deserve."

Durbin has served on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees for 26 years. He assumed Chairmanship of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in 2013, taking over from his close friend and former Appropriations Committee Chairman, Daniel Inouye. In 2015, he became the Vice Chairman of the subcommittee after Republicans assumed leadership of the Senate.

The FY16 Department of Defense Appropriations Act including funding for the following Illinois defense installations and priorities.

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