Mike Bost

Mike Bost is a Republican politician who has represented Illinois' 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 2015. He currently serves as the Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and is a member of the Agriculture and Transportation & Infrastructure committees. Bost’s professional background includes service in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1979 to 1982, a career as a firefighter for the Murphysboro Fire Department, and management of his family’s trucking business. He also co-owns a small business, the White House Salon, with his wife in Murphysboro. Before his election to Congress, Bost served for two decades in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 to 2015, where he eventually became the House Republican Caucus Chair. His earlier political career included serving on the Jackson County Board and as a treasurer and trustee for Murphysboro Township. Bost is a graduate of Murphysboro High School and the University of Illinois Certified Firefighter II Academy, making him one of the few members of Congress to have a background in the trades and emergency services without a traditional four-year college degree. Throughout his tenure in Washington, Bost has focused on issues impacting Southern Illinois, such as agriculture, coal production, and veterans' services. He has been recognized for his advocacy for rural infrastructure and his work on the Farm Bill. Bost was first elected to the U.S. House in 2014, defeating incumbent William Enyart, and has since been re-elected multiple times to represent his district.

Representative Bost maintains a conservative voting record with positions focused on economic growth, energy independence, and veteran support. On healthcare, he supports the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act with patient-centric reforms, arguing for lower costs through market competition. In terms of the economy, he has consistently supported tax reductions, including the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and advocates for reducing federal regulations to promote job growth. Bost is a strong proponent of an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy that includes support for the coal industry and traditional fossil fuels, often opposing environmental regulations he views as burdensome to the regional economy. Regarding immigration, he emphasizes the importance of border security and the enforcement of existing immigration laws. As Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, his primary focus is on improving healthcare access and benefit delivery for former service members.