Rep. Mike Bost

I supported the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act this week to target foreign entities helping the Iranian regime evade sanctions on oil, gas, LNG, and petrochemicals. This bill cuts off the regime’s funding for terrorism and keeps America safe by holding hostile and complicit actors accountable.

In 2024, five-year-old Dalilah Coleman suffered severe injuries when the vehicle she was riding in was struck by a tractor trailer in Southern California. The large truck was being driven by an illegal immigrant who was deported a year later. Dalilah will courageously battle the effects of her injuries for the rest of her life. That’s why I am proud to cosponsor Dalilah’s Law, which will be voted on in the House Transportation Committee today. It strengthens CDL requirements, tightens safety standards, and requires truck drivers to be able to read and understand English on the roads. I agree with President Trump that this is must-pass legislation.

Tune in for a live telephone town hall with me on Tuesday, March 24th at 6:15pm. Register now at bost.house.gov/participate to join the conversation, hear updates from Congress, and ask your questions directly.

Glad to see President Trump taking action to make housing more affordable by cutting red tape and expanding access to mortgage credit. These steps will help lower costs and make it easier for hardworking families to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. livenowfox.com/news/new-trump…

Happy #NationalAgricultureWeek! Here in Southern Illinois, agriculture isn’t just an industry, it’s a way of life. Our farmers work long hours to feed our country and power our economy, and I’m proud to serve on the House Agriculture Committee to support their hard work and the next generation of producers.

The House already passed the SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship to vote. A strong majority of Americans agree that voter ID will make our elections more secure. So what are the D.C. Democrats so afraid of?

Last week, I joined my fellow Republican veterans in Congress for a press conference on Homeland Security Funding and the importance of supporting our troops abroad in this time of conflict. We're not just talking about ICE when we talk about funding the DHS, we're talking about our first line of defense against terrorism and the agency that keeps our borders, air travel, coastlines, and communities safe at home while our military keeps us safe overseas. c-span.org/program/news-c…

I visited with leadership from Robinson’s Crawford Memorial Hospital to discuss ways Congress can continue to support rural health care like the kind so many rely on in Southern Illinois. The hospital is exploring federal opportunities for access to advanced surgical equipment that would allow local patients to receive high-quality care close to home. We also talked about projects under the Rural Health Transformation program to improve efficiency and meet the unique challenges rural hospitals face, including workforce shortages and aging infrastructure.

I met with the Illinois Farm Bureau’s new president, Philip Nelson, to talk about the recent Farm Bill negotiations and the importance of year-round E15 biofuels. Serving on the House Committee on Agriculture allows me to bring these priorities directly to Congress as we continue to work to pass a Farm Bill that gives farmers across Southern Illinois the certainty they deserve, now that it has made its way out of the House Agriculture Committee.

Things got a little heated in the House Agriculture Committee this week, where we were marking up the now-approved 2026 Farm Bill. The final package – which secures much needed funding for Southern Illinois’ farmers, ensures access to credit, and expands rural broadband – also includes my SOLAR Act legislation. It protects farmers’ rights to determine what happens on their land, but it stops taxpayer dollars from being used to incentivize taking prime farmland out of production for the purpose of installing massive solar panel projects. Some of my Democrat colleagues tried to remove my language from the bill, and I wasn’t happy about it. They weren’t successful.

I’ve been in contact with Senator Markwayne Mullin, a good friend and former House colleague, to congratulate him on being selected as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. Markwayne will be an excellent addition to President Trump’s cabinet at a critical moment for our national security. I appreciate Secretary Noem’s service and the many accomplishments achieved over the last 14 months in securing the border and making our country safer.

Americans currently in the Middle East who need support with travel out of the region can reach out to the U.S. Department of State for emergency assistance. Please call the following phone numbers for help and be sure to share this information with any friends or family who are impacted.

I met with members of the Agricultural Retailers Association today to discuss the priorities impacting our farmers and ag retailers back home. We talked about strengthening our supply chains, supporting biofuels, and making sure producers have the tools and technology they need to stay competitive. Many of these priorities are reflected in the Farm Bill we’re working on in the House Agriculture Committee, and getting this legislation across the finish line for Southern Illinois’ agricultural industry is vital.

Americans face a real and growing threat right now from Iran and its terror proxies. The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for weeks due to Congressional Democrats’ refusal to join us in funding the agency. When we vote again later this week to fund DHS, House Democrats need to recognize the risks we face if we fail to work together on funding the departments that keep us safe.

Applications for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition are now open. All Members of Congress participate each year, helping select the best piece of art from their district to hang in the halls of the U.S. Capitol. It’s a great opportunity for young artists across Southern Illinois to showcase their talents. You can find deadlines and submission details at bost.house.gov/art-competition or by calling my office at (217) 240-3170.

Happy Pulaski Day, Southern Illinois! Today we honor the Father of the American Cavalry, a brigadier general commissioned by George Washington in the Continental Army who revolutionized how war was fought on horseback, and who later gave his life fighting for our independence.

I was grateful to join Missouri's Congressman Mark Alford’s podcast, Capitol Recap, to talk about my role as Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the work we’re doing to ensure our veterans receive the care they’ve earned. This year, my committee is focused on three big things: expanding how veterans can use their GI Bill, protecting quality healthcare access, and fighting for an affordable American Dream. m.youtube.com/watch?v=yR3_3P…

Congrats to Coach Daryl Murphy of the Murphysboro High School basketball team on earning his 600th win with the Red Devils. Since 1996, he’s led the team with discipline, heart, and Murphysboro pride. I recognized his milestone and all he’s meant to our students and community in a speech on the House floor. Way to go, Coach.

As Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I’m proud of the work we’ve done with my friend, VA Secretary Doug Collins, to reduce the veterans’ benefits claims backlog. For the first time since 2020, the backlog has dropped below 100,000 – and more progress to come! news.va.gov/press-room/va-…