In honor of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 245th birthday last week, Marines stationed at the barracks in Washington, D.C. baked cakes for Marine members of Congress. While it doesn’t fit into my keto diet, it looked too good to not have a slice (or two). Thank you to Brigadier General Robert C. Fulford and Colonel Maura M. Hennigan for dropping it off at my office today! #SemperFi
Wishing a happy 245th birthday to my brothers and sisters in the U.S. Marine Corps! #SemperFi
Are you a Southern Illinois veteran who wants to share a personal story of service? Do you have a loved one or friend who served their nation proudly? We would love if you shared your story!
Since COVID-19 restrictions have limited our opportunities to gather together this Veterans Day, we’ve created a space for folks to share their memories, videos, photos, and thank you messages for Southern Illinois veterans. Visit https://bit.ly/BostVetsDayStories to participate – we will share some of the submissions on Veterans Day!
Wanted to reach out and thank everyone for the thousands of well wishes and prayers I have received since announcing my COVID-19 diagnosis last week. Here’s a quick update on how Tracy and I are doing.
I’ve known Congressman John Shimkus for almost 30 years, since his days as Madison County Treasurer. He is a loving husband, father, and man of faith who has served both Southern Illinois and our nation well. Earlier this week, I spoke on the House floor to thank him for his friendship and wish him well in his retirement.
House Republicans have a plan to provide emergency relief to small businesses crippled by the COVID-19 shutdown. Speaker Pelosi refuses to bring it to the floor for a vote. So we are taking matters into our own hands by signing a "discharge petition." This rare procedural tactic forces a floor vote whether the Speaker wants one or not - but you need the majority of members to sign on. Today, I did my part. #FightForSmallBiz
It’s a busy day here in DC, but I wanted to make sure to jump out of my Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing so I could virtually introduce one of my constituents as a witness in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing. I was proud to introduce Geri Boyer from Belleville to my fellow colleagues on the T&I Committee. Ms. Boyer is founder, owner, and president of Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC – one of the largest women owned businesses in the Metro East.
When I introduced the legislation that created the School Violence Prevention Program, my goal was to help give schools across the country resources to keep kids and teachers safe. I’m so proud that this program has made a lasting impact on schools right here in our own backyard, like in Jefferson County, where they received nearly half a million dollars to keep students safe at school.
Israel has negotiated four peace agreements with its Arab neighbors since its founding in 1948. Two of those were brokered with the help of President Trump. But you’d hardly know it, judging by much of the mainstream news coverage. I went to the House floor to call out the media’s hypocrisy today.
Pleased to report that my amendment to increase access to critical federal funding for small inland ports passed the House as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. During debate, I spoke on the House floor about the importance of these ports to both our local and national economies.
More: https://bit.ly/3fQ0gNS
Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July! Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats’ #MyWayOrTheHighway bill gives a 🚦 green light 🚦 to their liberal Green New Deal wish list at the expense of our nation’s truckers, motorists, and transportation workers. It’s time they 🛑 stop 🛑 the partisan games and invest in our roads and bridges.
Memorial Day has a long history that can be traced back to a Southern Illinois hero, General John A. Logan. In 1868, he issued General Order Number 11 to designate a day for Americans to decorate the graves of soldiers who gave their lives during the Civil War.
Our work is too important to phone it in.
Practicing social distancing doesn't mean keeping us hundreds of miles away from the House floor. It doesn’t mean washing our hands of over 200 years of precedent just so that we can vote from the comfort of our living rooms. Across the country, frontline workers are going to work every day. The People’s House should too. Our work is too important to phone it in.
Funding the Paycheck Protection Program
Millions of job creators and their employees are relying on the Paycheck Protection Program to stay afloat while their businesses are closed. This program is all that's left for many businesses struggling to survive. I was proud to vote for additional PPP funding because hardworking Americans shouldn’t be left in limbo at the very moment they are most in need of help.
Back in DC to approve additional emergency funding for our small businesses and hospitals. Voting will look a little different today as we follow social distancing guidelines, but it’s also vitally important we continue to do our work for the American people.
Thank You Southern Illinois Heroes
To all of the heroes who have stepped up to keep Southern Illinoisans safe, thank you. We are in this together.
Happy Easter!
While our celebrations look a little different this year, I wanted to wish you all a very happy Easter. Stay safe, and if you can, enjoy time with your families today! He is risen!
4/1/20 Coronavirus Update
Wanted to give you a quick update on coronavirus in our district, including some positive news about grants our two hardest hit counties, St. Clair and Madison, have received from the #CARESAct to help fight this illness.
More info on the grants: https://bit.ly/3bJ6qNq
Families are scared; small businesses are struggling; and hospitals are fighting an uphill battle against an unseen enemy. While this bill certainly wasn’t perfect, the consequences of inaction were too high not to support it. We have a long way to go in defeating the coronavirus and jumpstarting our economy, but the more certainty we can restore for the American people, the quicker we’ll get there.
I’m here in Washington preparing for a vote on the coronavirus relief bill. Let’s get it done.
Unfortunately, due to concerns about COVID-19, we had to cancel this year's Congressional Art Competition awards reception. However, I did want to announce this year's winner – make sure you watch until the end to find out who it is! Thank you to our judges, the folks at Southwestern Illinois College, and all of the students who participated this year! Job well done!
Like many of you, my office is now my kitchen table. I’ve been working the phones talking to health professionals, emergency coordinators, and federal officials. But, I wanted to take a moment to send you a message – it may be a tad long – but I wanted to talk to you from the heart. Stay strong, Southern Illinois.
I grew up in a family trucking business and started driving trucks when I turned 16. A lot has changed since then. One thing that hasn’t? The lack of access to enough parking and rest spots for big rigs. I introduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act to create more parking options and keep both truckers and other motorists safe. http://bit.ly/39DCwtc
Yesterday, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs GOP held a hearing to look at how the VA is supporting survivors of military sexual assault. We cannot put our heads in the sand and ignore this issue – we must address it, and do it correctly because the longer we wait, the longer victims suffer.
After Speaker Pelosi’s behavior during the State of the Union last night, I had a few ideas of my own…
I’m headed down to the House floor for President Donald J. Trump's State of the Union speech and am looking forward to hearing about his vision for 2020. Make sure you tune in at 8:00pm central time. #SOTU2020
President Trump will deliver his 2020 State of the Union tomorrow at 8:00pm CST. What issues do you want him to address?
It’s devastating to lose a veteran who didn’t know where to turn for help. It’s even more inexcusable when this happens inside of a VA facility. This morning in the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs GOP, we held a hearing to assess how the VA is caring for veterans in need of mental health services.
Tracy and I wanted to send our well wishes to all those who traveled from Southern Illinois and around the country to be in DC today for the #MarchForLife. As a father, a grandfather, and a man of faith, I know that there can be no more blessed a mission than speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
