Mike Bost

Republican Representative of Illinois's 12th district

Representative
Illinois, district 12
January 6, 2015 - January 3, 2017
Representative
Illinois, district 12
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019
Representative
Illinois, district 12
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
Illinois, district 12
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
Illinois, district 12
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-5661

@RepBost

bost.house.gov

Congresses Served

House Terms

December 30, 1960 (63 years old)

Birthday

Served as a U.S. representative since 2015
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 to 2015
Former firefighter
Attended a firefighter academy program but did not complete a college degree
Served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1982
Ran his family's trucking business for ten years and has co-owned and operated a salon since 1989
Held positions on the Jackson County Board, as treasurer of Murphysboro Township, and as trustee of Murphysboro Township before entering state legislature
Known for a passionate outburst on the Illinois House floor in 2012 over a pension overhaul bill
Worked on Fred Thompson's presidential campaign during the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries
Presented a resolution to a fellow Marine for lifetime accomplishments in 2013
Has served on various legislative committees, including Appropriations-Higher Education and Public Utilities
Ran for U.S. Congress citing concerns over federal government performance, intending to fight for job growth and immigration reform
Has been reelected multiple times to the U.S. House of Representatives, with a significant victory margin in recent elections
Described President Obama as a "fluke" and had a notable last exchange with him
Received threats from an individual who later attacked GOP congressmen in 2017
Member of the Republican Main Street Partnership and the conservative Republican Study Committee
Does not conduct traditional town halls due to their combative nature, once making a controversial comment about "Orientals"
Supported a bill to redefine farms and ranches as small businesses, and voted for the American Health Care Act and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Has a "D" rating from NORML for his voting history on cannabis-related causes
Signed an amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, contesting the 2020 presidential election results
Condemned the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage in 2015 but voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in 2021
Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and a military aid package for Ukraine in 2024
Voted to provide Israel with support following a 2023 attack
Chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Committee as of 2023
Personal life includes marriage since 1980, three children, and 11 grandchildren; cites John Alexander Logan as his political hero
Involved in a legal incident in 1986 related to shooting a dog after it bit his daughter, for which he was acquitted