"It is the largest in 20 years. And so this is overdue. We have to make sure it's not just that the folks that are working at the Rock Island Arsenal, but that the people that are working in our military around the world are able to make ends meet."
He also pushed to require a report on the role of "Mission Training Complexes in ensuring troop readiness."
Sorensen says, "Information from this report will allow the Rock Island Arsenal to better position itself, I guess so that we can receive a mission training complex. So that's the end goal and that means bringing more job not just to the Rock Island Arsenal, but the Quad City area."
The defense authorization bill also requires the Air Force to issue a report to Congress on the cost of decommissioning Tactical Air Control Party (TAC-P) units. The 182nd Airlift Wing at the Peoria Air National Guard base is currently set to lose its units.
Illinois US Senator Tammy Duckworth also promoted portions of the bill including support for school districts near military bases. It'll provide $50 million to alleviate school funding shortfalls from state and local tax bases.
The House and Senate passed the bill which is now headed to the president's desk.
