Mike Bost

BOST ISSUES STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE SAVE AMERICA ACT

Position: Representative Bost supports the SAVE America Act, which requires photo identification and proof of citizenship for voter registration and ballot casting, citing election integrity and voter confidence.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) issued the following statement upon House passage tonight of the SAVE America Act, legislation requiring voters to show a photo identification to cast a ballot: "I voted for the SAVE America Act because the right to vote in American elections belongs to American citizens, period. This bill puts commonsense safeguards in place by requiring proof of citizenship to register, photo ID to cast a ballot, and real accountability to clean up voter rolls. If we can require an ID to board a plane, rent an apartment, drive a car, or buy prescription medication, we can require it to vote. The American people deserve elections they can trust, and I will never apologize for fighting to protect the integrity of their vote." Permalink: https://bost.house.gov/2026/2/bost-issues-statement-on-house-passage-of-the-save-america-act

REPS. BOST, MILLER, LAHOOD REQUEST ANSWERS FROM ILLINOIS ELECTION BOARD ON VOTER ROLL INTEGRITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) led a letter with Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12) and Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) to the Illinois State Board of Elections requesting answers regarding the accuracy of the state's voter rolls and its compliance with federal election law. As Illinois prepares to begin early voting on February 5, the letter raised serious concerns about the state's compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the overall integrity of federal elections conducted in Illinois. Permalink: https://bost.house.gov/2026/2/reps-bost-miller-lahood-request-answers-from-illinois-election-board-on-voter-roll-integrity

BOST SECURES $7 MILLION FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS INFRASTRUCTURE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) applauded House approval today of a transportation, health, and security funding package that provides a 3.8% pay raise for members of the military, invests in education and healthcare, and strengthens roads and infrastructure. The package includes $7 million Bost worked to secure for local infrastructure improvements in Clay, Crawford, Jackson, Jasper, and Washington counties. "This legislation will make a big difference for hardworking Americans, with a pay hike for our troops, investment in rural hospitals, support for students, and $200 million to expand access to safe truck parking – a priority I've fought for years to accomplish. I'm proud to say that, on top of all these important victories, we were able to secure funding to improve our roadways, restore critical infrastructure, and strengthen emergency response in Southern Illinois. These are real results that people will see and feel." This funding package includes targeted investments secured by Rep. Bost for Illinois' 12th District, including: More information regarding these Community Project Funding requests can be found here. Permalink: https://bost.house.gov/2026/1/bost-secures-7-million-for-southern-illinois-infrastructure-and-emergency-response-projects

BOST BACKS RESPONSIBLE FUNDING PACKAGE TO SECURE THE NATION AND REIN IN SPENDING

Position: Representative Bost voted for a foreign operations and financial services funding bill that reduces spending by $9 billion compared to current stopgap funding, prioritizes national security, and blocks continuation of Biden-era priorities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted for a foreign operations and financial services funding bill for the remaining fiscal year that prioritizes national security and core government responsibilities. The legislation reduces spending by more than $9 billion compared to current stopgap funding and blocks the continuation of Biden-era priorities. "When we're talking about the security of the American people, we need to spend smartly and do what it takes to protect our interests in a dangerous world," said Bost. "Today's vote strengthens the focus on our national security while saving taxpayers more than $9 billion. We're aligned with President Trump and not apologizing for putting America first." The funding package supports financial solvency and national security, holds federal agencies accountable, and ensures taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. Key provisions of H.R. 7006 include: Permalink: https://bost.house.gov/2026/1/bost-backs-responsible-funding-package-to-secure-the-nation-and-rein-in-spending

BOST, BUDZINSKI INTRODUCE BILL TO MODERNIZE USDA LOAN PROGRAMS

Position: The representatives support updating USDA loan program eligibility requirements to remove outdated barriers that prevent modern family farms from accessing operating, emergency, and real estate loans, allowing producers with at least 50 percent operational interest to qualify.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12) and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced legislation Wednesday to remove outdated eligibility barriers that prevent modern family farms from accessing U.S. Department of Agriculture loan programs. The USDA Loan Modernization Act updates eligibility standards to better reflect the structure of today's multi-generational, family-run farms, expanding access to operating, emergency, and real estate loans for producers in Southern Illinois and across the country. "For too long, USDA loan rules have failed to keep up with the reality of modern farming," said Bost. "Family farms shouldn't be punished for choosing a path that helps them manage risk or plan for the next generation. Our legislation cuts through red tape, brings common sense back to USDA lending, and makes sure farmers who are doing things the right way aren't locked out from the capital they need to keep their operations running." "While farming operations have changed drastically over time, our loan rules haven't kept up," said Budzinski. "This legislation closes that gap by updating USDA loan rules and making sure small and multi-generational family farmers aren't penalized for using responsible, modern business structures. Most importantly, it puts decisions back in farmers' hands — giving them the freedom to set up their operations and land in ways that work best for their families without putting their existing FSA loans at risk." "Farm Credit thanks Reps. Bost and Budzinski for introducing the USDA Loan Modernization Act," said Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfer. "This small but meaningful update to FSA loan program eligibility requirements will allow the next generation of producers to utilize modern farm business structures while still accessing FSA loan programs. We look forward to working with Reps. Bost and Budzinski to ensure this important legislation is included in Farm Bill 2.0." The USDA Loan Modernization Act updates eligibility requirements to allow producers with at least a 50 percent operational interest to qualify for loans and gives the Farm Service Agency greater flexibility to consider a range of family farm entities. The legislation is supported by groups including the Farm Credit Council, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Farm Credit Illinois, Compeer, National Rural Lenders Association, Independent Community Bankers Association, Illinois Farm Bureau Federation, and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. Permalink: https://bost.house.gov/2025/12/bost-budzinski-introduce-bill-to-modernize-usda-loan-programs

ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS URGE NO PARDON FOR MADIGAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Illinois' U.S. House Republican delegation urged President Trump in a letter today to reject former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's request for a presidential pardon. U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12), Darin LaHood (IL-16), and Mary Miller (IL-15) expressed concerns that granting Madigan clemency following his sentencing to seven and a half years in prison for conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery would undermine accountability and public trust. "We write with a unified message as Republican Members of the United States House of Representatives for the State of Illinois to express our concerns regarding a request for a presidential pardon from former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan," the members said. "Illinois families and taxpayers have suffered for decades under entrenched corruption, and a pardon in this case would send a dangerous message that public officials can betray the public trust with impunity. "The bribery and corruption scheme involved the misuse of state resources, including directing public utility contracts and payments to benefit private political allies. This was a deliberate, long-running pattern of abuse of public office. "Granting clemency in this case would not only reward a lifetime of unethical behavior but also embolden other public officials to exploit their offices for personal gain. For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to deny any request for a presidential pardon from Michael Madigan. Denying his request is the best way to ensure Illinois residents know their leaders are held to the highest standards of integrity." The full letter to President Trump is available here. Permalink: https://bost.house.gov/2025/12/illinois-congressional-republicans-urge-no-pardon-for-madigan

BOST VOTES TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL SECURITY, BOLSTER SUPPORT FOR TROOPS

Position: Representative Bost voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which authorizes $900.6 billion for defense programs, provides a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers, funds Scott Air Force Base improvements, and addresses border security and military readiness policies.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, legislation that strengthens America's national defense, advances President Trump's peace through strength agenda, and supports the men and women who serve our nation in uniform. The bill authorizes $900.6 billion for national defense programs, provides a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers, allocates $6 million for Scott Air Force Base hangar improvements, secures our southern border, and ends the woke policies and DEI mandates that have distracted from military readiness. Permalink: https://bost.house.gov/2025/12/bost-votes-to-strengthen-national-security-bolster-support-for-troops