The Bost Bulletin

Dear Friend,

House Republicans took a major step toward delivering on President Trump’s America First agenda last week. I voted to advance a conservative budget blueprint that lays the foundation for passing bold reforms to secure the border, unleash American-made energy, prevent $4.5 trillion in tax hikes, and cut reckless government spending. It includes $1.5 trillion in mandatory savings, curbs wasteful government programs, and ensures we have the resources needed to keep America safe. We’re putting hardworking families first.

Looking Ahead at What Comes Next

The budget resolution is just the first step in the budgetary process. In the weeks and months ahead, House committees with jurisdiction over where these spending reforms will come from will dig into those programs and determine what should be targeted. Rest assured, I’m staying engaged in the process and following developments closely as the process moves forward. We are committed to fixing our fiscal future while strengthening treasured program now and for years to come.

Protecting Our Prime Farmland

For too long, rural communities have stood powerless as corporations – and even foreign countries – have gobbled up precious farmland. We’re seeing it in rural Southern Illinois, where solar panel companies are buying up tracts of prime farmland for their business operations. That’s why I reintroduced the SOLAR Act, which stops taxpayer-funded solar projects from steamrolling local communities by requiring their approval and ensuring there’s a plan in place to restore the land when these projects are done. Farmers still have the right to do what they wish with their property, but these corporations won’t be incentivized with taxpayer dollars to take prime farmland out of production.

Pushing for Safer Roads

Our country is facing a serious parking shortage for big trucks, and it's making our roads less safe for everyone. Having grown up in a family trucking business, I know firsthand how difficult and oftentimes dangerous it can be when America's truckers are forced to push that extra mile in search of a safe place to park. We saw the consequences in Southern Illinois a couple years back, when a Greyhound bus sideswiped a truck parked on the side of an exit ramp in Madison County, resulting in tragic losses of life. That's why I reintroduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act to increase access to safe parking for truckers. This could literally be a lifesaver.

Chairing House-Senate Joint Hearing on Veterans' Priorities

Every congressional session, the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees come together for a joint hearing to meet with Veterans Service Organizations on the issues that matter most to them. I was honored to chair those hearings and hear the valuable perspectives of so many brave men and women who served. If you ever wish to learn more about my work on the committee, you can visit our website by clicking here.

Cracking the High Price of Eggs

The Biden administration ignored the avian flu crisis, leaving farmers struggling and the price of eggs soaring. Now, President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins are taking action, with a $1 billion plan to strengthen biosecurity, support farmers, and invest in vaccine research. This is what results-oriented leadership looks like.

Dumping a Biden-Era Tax

Last week, I voted to get rid of a ridiculous and burdensome tax on methane emissions that has been driving up energy costs for families and hurting American oil and gas production. This tax, pushed through by the Biden administration before leaving office, does little to help the environment and makes us more reliant on foreign energy. I’ll keep working with President Trump to cut red tape, lower costs, and unleash American-made energy.

Bringing Businesses Back to America

Apple has announced it will be moving manufacturing from Mexico to Texas in a big win for the American economy. Their $500 billion investment in the United States will bring in 20,000 jobs and bolster American superiority in AI. I applaud Apple’s investment in our country’s future; and thank President Trump for working tirelessly to ensure conditions are right for bringing jobs back to America.

Powering Southern Illinois

I met with the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association and the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency to hear from local leaders about energy issues including grid security, tax-exempt municipal bonds, and electric transmission policy. I appreciate the opportunity to hear their concerns and perspectives on these important issues.

To stay updated on the work I am doing, make sure you follow me on Facebook or Twitter. And if you would like to receive these email updates, make sure you sign up for my newsletter here.

- Mike