Hi there,

The other day, I visited an honor flight here in DC. (For those of you learning that phrase for the first time, it’s when our veterans are flown into the nation’s capitol, and toured around our most storied monuments, to be given thanks for their service.)

One brave fellow who’d served our country approached me and asked, "Why do you gotta be a democrat?"

I smiled. Bridging the gap between differing perspectives is an essential part of my job.

I told him, “I’m bipartisan, I try to do right by the people.”

Another veteran leaned in and said, “I like that.”

That second man told me about his tours of Panama in the Air Force, and how toxic chemicals he’d been exposed to on duty have contributed to his cancer diagnosis. Today, he’s stage 4.

He asked me why he won’t get the support he needs from the government.

Nobody doubts the chemical usage during the Vietnam War, and our vets today get treatment on a range of chemical-induced health problems. But because there’s so little discussion of our service members’ work in more than 100 other countries which they protect, he has tons of red tape blocking the care he deserves.

He was despondent that certain bureaucrats insist he can’t prove chemicals in the line of duty in Panama contributed to his cancer, wanting to know what could be done.

I told him, “By telling me, maybe we can get something done about it.”

He broke down crying, thanking me just for letting him be heard.

This interaction was a testament to the importance of engaging with constituents, helping them navigate complex issues, and showing them that their voices matter. And a reminder that veterans should never have their hard-earned benefits and care threatened by Washington politics.

While extreme cuts are wreaking havoc on every corner of our veterans’ lives, from vital health programs to those unable to work from injuries in the line of duty, I will continue to fight to make sure our veterans’ needs are met, even long after they’ve hung up the uniform. If you’re able, please stand with me and donate $3 today to help ensure we have more representation that puts our service members first. [[link removed]]

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More soon,

-Eric
    
Eric Sorensen is a meteorologist born and raised in Rockford, IL representing IL-17 in Congress. He’s seen firsthand the importance of establishing trust with the community, and he’s determined to use his expertise as a climate communicator to fight for Illinoisans on environmental justice and more in Washington. To support Eric consider making a grasssroots contribution here: [link removed]

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Eric Sorensen for Illinois
P.O. Box 1172
Moline, IL 61265
United States