Duckworth, Durbin, Grassley, Sorensen Press Army Leadership Over Impacts of Army Transformation Initiative on Rock Island Arsenal

Duckworth, Durbin, Grassley, Sorensen Press Army Leadership Over Impacts of Army Transformation Initiative on Rock Island Arsenal

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth led U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and U.S. Congressman Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) in hosting a briefing with Acting Army Materiel Commander Lieutenant General Christopher Mohan to learn more about the impacts the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) could have on Rock Island Arsenal and the Quad Cities region. The Members pushed for answers on how the ATI-a sweeping set of changes for Army operations that include downsizing, consolidating or closing redundant headquarters-would impact the Arsenal's workforce and mission as well as on the ATI's implementation timeline, and secured a commitment from the LTG to share documentation of the Army's analysis of impacts.

"The Rock Island Arsenal is an economic engine for the entire Quad Cities region and plays an important role in our national security," said Duckworth. "I am deeply committed to the Army and its future-I support Army modernization, but we must balance modernization with readiness. I'll keep working with my colleagues on the federal level to protect operations and ensure that the Arsenal has the support it needs to succeed for years to come."

"Rock Island Arsenal is critical to both our national security and the economy of the Quad Cities region. The men and women at the Arsenal manufacture top-of-the-line equipment that contribute to our nation's military readiness," Durbin said. "I will continue to work, on a bipartisan basis, with both my colleagues in Congress and military leaders to ensure security for the workforce at Rock Island Arsenal."

"There are clear economic and national security reasons for ensuring the work at Rock Island Arsenal continues. It plays a vital role in our national defense, and it's a key driver for the Quad Cities' economy. I appreciated hearing more details from the Army about its plans and how the Arsenal will retain its significance in supporting our warfighters. As those plans move forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Army to support the Arsenal, its important work and the jobs it sustains in the region," Grassley said.

"The men and women of the Rock Island Arsenal do essential work that strengthens our military, protects our national security, and keeps Americans safe," said Sorensen. "I'm glad to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in getting to the bottom of the Army's plans for the Rock Island Arsenal, and I'm proud to advocate for my neighbors on the House Armed Services Committee to ensure the Arsenal's essential work is sustainable for the future."

As a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Duckworth has continued to push for answers from the Army, and Duckworth, Durbin, Grassley and Sorensen have pushed the importance of Rock Island Arsenal to Army leadership and called for a briefing on any command and personnel changes. Earlier this year the Members also introduced the Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act to incentivize private industry to partner with arsenals by giving preference to public-private partnerships in Army contracting, helping the RIA to maintain existing union jobs, attract new projects and workers, and keep costs down.

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