Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-2) and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) today met with senior Army leaders, including General Dennis Via, Commanding General of Army Materiel Command which oversees Army arsenals, ammunition plans, and depots. The attendees included two commanders from Rock Island Arsenal, Brigadier General John Wharton, Commanding General, Army Sustainment Command and Brigadier General Kevin O'Connell, Commanding General, Joint Munitions Command. Lieutenant General Patricia McQuistion, former Commanding General of Army Sustainment Command and current Deputy Commanding General, Army Material Command also attended. They discussed sequestration and the importance of maintaining a strong industrial base at the Rock Island Arsenal. The senior Army leaders joined a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders at a breakfast hosted by the House Military Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant and Industrial Facilities Caucus. Loebsack serves as a Co-Chairman of the Caucus.
"I was pleased to be able to host these key Army leaders this morning to continue our discussion about how to best position the Rock Island Arsenal and its critical role in equipping our troops and spurring economic development in the Quad Cities region, especially in the face of sequestration. I will continue to advocate for the Arsenal and its workforce with Army leaders and continue to work with my good friend Congresswoman Bustos to strengthen its future and address the threat of sequestration," said Congressman Loebsack.
"Nothing is more important to me than fighting for the people of our region. That is why I was so pleased to meet with representatives from the Rock Island Arsenal this morning to discuss protecting the Arsenal, and the jobs it provides, from the potentially damaging impact of sequestration," said Congresswoman Bustos. "I look forward to continuing to work towards a common sense solution to avert the sequester and to continue fighting on behalf of the Arsenal and the entire Quad Cities region with my friend and neighbor, Congressman Loebsack."
