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Mike Bost's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (IL) - District 12

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3504 "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As Washington liberals work to scrap the Hyde Amendment and push their abortion on-demand agenda, it is more important now than ever that we speak out and stand up for the unborn." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This week I cosponsored a resolution to recognize Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, as National Sanctity of Life Day. We mourn the 62 million innocent lives lost to abortion since Roe was decided 49 yrs ago & must continue our efforts to defend life at all stages. #ProLife" (twitter.com)
  • "There were two major things that I wanted to accomplish for Southern Illinois through tax reform: growing jobs and growing paychecks. This tax reform bill paves the way for both. We've reformed the tax code to let working families keep more of their paycheck to spend as they see fit. Whether that be saving for college, raising a family, or preparing for a rainy day, I trust the taxpayers to keep a closer eye on their hard-earned dollars than any Washington bureaucrat ever will. We've also taken steps to encourage businesses large and small to expand operations at home and invest in the American worker." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "American families and businesses are still working to get back on their feet. Now is not the time to raise their taxes." (twitter.com)
  • "Mike voted for Tax Reform legislation, which gives an average tax cut of over $2,200 to Southern Illinois families. He’s also voted to roll back job-killing regulations left over by the Obama Administration and and is a staunch opponent of the Biden-Pelosi socialist tax and spending plan." (bostforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 17% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Those counting on Social Security and Medicare should not have to worry about the promises that were made to them are kept. Mike opposes efforts to privatize, raise the retirement age or increase the payroll tax. Congress must work together to prevent the financial collapse of these programs by promoting bipartisan efforts to address systemic problems and ensure its longevity for current and future generations." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Speaker Pelosi says she wants to get money out of politics, but actions speak louder than words," said Bost. "Not only would this sham of a reform bill put more money into politics, it would do so at the taxpayer's expense. Taxpayers would be forced to match every $1 in "small dollar' donations raised by a candidate 6 times over. That's $6 of your money for every $1 raised by the candidate, whether you support their positions or not. There's a big difference between free speech and forced speech." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Every day, law enforcement officers around the country protect our families from harm, keep the peace, and promote the cause of justice. #NationalPoliceWeek is a good reminder that we need to show support and appreciation for those that serve and protect us." (twitter.com)
  • "Every day, our brave law enforcement officers around the country risk their lives. They protect us from harm, keep the peace, and carry out justice." (twitter.com)
  • "This critical legislation includes several provisions that provide a pay increase for our men & women in uniform, reverse Biden’s defense spending cuts & strengthen our national security at the southern border." (twitter.com)
  • "Mike is a strong supporter of a robust defense budget" (bostforcongress.com)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Speaker Pelosi is at it again, trying to ram her party’s spending spree through the House today. While we still don’t know the final price tag, we know just how devasting these socialist policies will be for our country and its future." (twitter.com)
  • "For months, President Biden & Speaker Pelosi have lied, saying their spending spree wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime. Last night, the CBO confirmed that the bill digs us nearly $400 billion deeper in debt. I voted NO on this attempt to bankrupt future generations for socialism." (twitter.com)
  • "President Biden and Speaker Pelosi’s socialist spending spree will break the bank for future generations. It’s so massive that the independent Congressional Budget Office has determined they are already $280 billion in the hole." (twitter.com)
  • "Money doesn’t grow on trees, but those in Washington often think it does. For too long, legislators went to Washington with a focus of "how much to spend" instead of "what to cut." Because of that mindset, federal spending is out-of-control with growing deficits that place the burden on future generations." (bostforcongress.com)
  • "There were two major things that I wanted to accomplish for Southern Illinois through tax reform: growing jobs and growing paychecks. This tax reform bill paves the way for both. We've reformed the tax code to let working families keep more of their paycheck to spend as they see fit. Whether that be saving for college, raising a family, or preparing for a rainy day, I trust the taxpayers to keep a closer eye on their hard-earned dollars than any Washington bureaucrat ever will. We've also taken steps to encourage businesses large and small to expand operations at home and invest in the American worker." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Advancement Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 9% by Environment America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Administrator Regan: "As Administrator, we urge you to maximize the benefits the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), particularly given the statutory shift that requires you to determine Renewable Volumes Obligations starting in 2023 in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Agriculture. We implore you to work across agencies to build on existing programs and policies and seek new opportunities that will promote growth in the usage of higher ethanol and biodiesel blends." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "President Biden tapped into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in November. Then again in January. Gas prices went up. Apparently he thinks 3rd time’s the charm. If he really wants to fix the problem, he must end the anti-American energy policies that began the day he took office." (twitter.com)
  • "Mike has consistently supported an all-of-the above energy policy that makes use of all our nation’s resources. As Southern Illinois families struggle with higher energy bills, Mike believes it’s common sense to use the resources that are proven and affordable." (bostforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of H Con Res 119 "Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States Economy" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "If you support the underlying bill, then I would think you would need to hear how this agreement will impact people's jobs and their bottom lines. No one will escape higher prices for energy, food, housing, transportation, or just about anything else. If you come from an industrial State, like my home State of Illinois, you can be especially hard hit. According to recent studies, the Paris Agreement will devastate employment in steel, iron, cement, and oil refining by killing over 1 million jobs. Manufacturing jobs are good jobs, and they are jobs that are multipliers, with every new steel job leading to seven additional jobs in the region in which they are created." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Chair Neumayr: "We write in support of the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) efforts to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This rulemaking represents the first comprehensive overhaul since the NEPA regulations were originally promulgated more than 40 years ago. These critical reforms will bring needed clarity to our nation's environmental laws, preserve the competitive edge that powers our economy, and foster continued stewardship of our environment and natural resources. Congress wrote NEPA with the straightforward, significant goal of establishing a review framework "under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans." However, over the years, through misguided regulation, and presidential directive, the NEPA process has strayed from these objectives. Now, unending litigation and mountains of paperwork define a permitting process that stretches along an indefinite timeline." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 806 "Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 83% by National Rifle Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As crime rates skyrocket across the country, President Biden and his Administration continue to double down on their attacks on the Second Amendment instead of actually addressing the problem." (twitter.com)
  • "This morning, Speaker Pelosi pushed two gun control bills through the House that will make it harder for law abiding citizens to purchase guns. As a father and a grandfather, I want to prevent gun violence as much as anyone. But these bills would do more to infringe on the Second Amendment than they do to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals or prevent mass shootings." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 596 "Repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care-Related Provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I just voted to repeal Obamacare and defund Planned Parenthood." (twitter.com)
  • "The Cadillac Tax, Obamacare's 40% tax on some employer-sponsored health insurance plans, undermines private health insurance & means costlier care for families. Proud to cosponsor & vote for the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act to repeal it." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act of 2017" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 82% by Numbers USA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "August was the second month in a row where we saw over 200,000 illegal border crossings. This is a national security and humanitarian crisis. The numbers speak for themselves." (twitter.com)
  • "Mike supports building a wall along our southern border and supports enforcing President Trump’s Remain in Mexico Policy." (bostforcongress.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3003 "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As a U.S. Marine, Mike is committed to a strong national defense. With growing threats to U.S. interests around the world, he knows we must ensure our military is the best-trained and most advanced in the world so we meet the challenges of today and prepare for threats of tomorrow." (bostforcongress.com)
  • "We’ve gotten tougher than ever in combating ISIS and other terrorist organizations, as well as potential nuclear threats like North Korea and Iran. Investing in our armed forces has been crucial in the progress we’ve made. #BetterOffNow" (twitter.com)
  • "Not even a month after Iran launched an attack on US troops, Dems voted to limit @POTUS's ability to keep our nation safe by blocking him from taking action against Iran, even if intelligence shows an attack on the US or our allies is imminent. I voted NO on tying POTUS's hands." (twitter.com)
  • "As a U.S. Marine, Mike is committed to a strong national defense. With growing threats to U.S. interests around the world, he knows we must ensure our military is the best-trained and most advanced in the world so we meet the challenges of today and prepare for threats of tomorrow." (bostforcongress.com)
  • "Today the last American plane left Afghanistan. President Biden may claim that this puts an end to 20 years of war, but our mission cannot be complete so long as American citizens remain in Afghanistan. The job is not done." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 702 "To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I joined 50 of my Steel Caucus colleagues in urging the Biden Admin to continue the use of Section 232 steel tariffs. American steelworkers produce the building blocks of our energy, transportation & infrastructure sectors. We must ensure they can compete with foreign producers." (twitter.com)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

X a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legally available.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X d) Abortions should be legal when pregnancy results from incest, rape or the life of the woman is endangered.
X e) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and notification requirements as decided by each state government.
X f) Prohibit the dilation and extraction procedure, also known as "partial-birth" abortion.
g) Support "buffer zones" at abortion clinics by requiring demonstrators to remain a certain distance from doorways and driveways.
X h) Prohibit public funding for abortions and organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
i) Other

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.

Greatly Increase Funding a) Education (Higher)
Greatly Increase Funding b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Funding Status c) Environment
Greatly Increase Funding d) Health care
Greatly Increase Funding e) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase Funding f) Transportation and Highway infrastructure
Maintain Funding Status g) Welfare
h) Other
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status c) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Decrease d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Gasoline taxes
Maintain Status f) Riverboat gambling taxes
Slightly Decrease g) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Slightly Decrease h) Income taxes (incomes over $75,000)
Eliminate i) Inheritance taxes
Greatly Decrease j) Property taxes
Maintain Status k) Sales taxes
Maintain Status l) Vehicle taxes
m) Other
No n) Should Internet sales be taxed?
Yes o) Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
Yes p) Would you support returning any operating surplus to Illinois taxpayers?
Yes q) Would you support placing any operating surplus into a "rainy day" fund?
Yes r) Do you support removing the sales tax on motor fuels?
s) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

X a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
X c) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X d) Support the use of the death penalty in Illinois.
e) Support the moratorium on the death penalty.
X f) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X g) Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
X h) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
i) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
X j) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X k) Support .08 blood-alcohol-content limit defining drunk driving.
X l) Prosecute as adults, youths accused of a felony.
X m) Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
n) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
X o) Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
p) Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
X q) Increase funding for DNA evidence testing.
r) Require videotaping of any interrogations or confessions that occur after an arrest for murder, rape, or juvenile felony charges.
s) Require that illegal possession of guns be prosecuted as a felony.
t) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

X a) Increase state funds for professional development of public school teachers and administrators.
X b) Encourage private or corporate investment in public school programs.
c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
X d) Support charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.
X e) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X f) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
g) Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Support posting the Ten Commandments in public schools.
X i) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
j) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
X k) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
X l) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
m) Other

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.Affirmative Action: Which of the following state agencies should take race and sex into account when making employment decisions?

X a) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
X d) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X e) Support an early retirement plan for state government employees.
X f) Reduce the unemployment insurance surplus by lowering employer payments to the unemployment insurance fund.
g) Use the unemployment insurance surplus to provide paid parental leave.
h) Other
Yes a) College and university admissions
Yes b) Public employment
Yes c) State contracting
d) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
X b) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
X c) Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
X d) Require states to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses on privately owned land.
X e) Support funding for recycling programs in Illinois.
X f) Request added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
g) Suspend participation in un-funded, federally-mandated environmental protection legislation.
h) Support legalization of industrial hemp.
i) Other
Undecided j) Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

Undecided a) Do you support the current limit on terms for Illinois Governors?
Undecided b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Illinois State Senators and Representatives?
Undecided a) Individual
Undecided b) PAC
Undecided c) Corporate
Undecided d) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Undecided e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
Undecided f) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
Undecided g) Do you support voting on-line?
Undecided h) Do you support on-line voter registration?
Yes i) Do you support banning political contributions from the gambling industry?
j) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
X b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
g) Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows.
h) Require a license for gun possession.
i) Other

Indicate (ü) which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

X a) Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health care to their employees.
b) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
X c) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
X d) Use state funds to continue some Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants.
X e) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
f) Support a patient's right to sue his or her HMO.
X g) Support a patient's right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
X h) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
X i) Expand the state's Circuit Breaker program which provides prescription drug coverage to low-income seniors.
j) Require drug manufacturers to provide prescription medications to senior citizens at the same discounted rate given to HMOs and corporations.
k) Support the Bernardin amendment to the Illinois Constitution which would require the state to ensure health care for every resident.
l) Require all hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims.
m) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.

X a) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
X b) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
c) Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
X d) Increase state funding for Head Start in order to serve additional children and/or increase services from a half to a full day.
X e) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X f) Support state funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans, and job training and placement.
g) Other
h) Should physician assisted suicide be legally available in Illinois?
i) Should Illinois include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination laws?
j) Should Illinois recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
k) Should Illinois restrict marriage to a relationship only between a man and a woman?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

X a) Maintain current time limits on welfare benefits.
X b) Maintain the requirement that able-bodied recipients work in order to receive benefits.
X c) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X d) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
X e) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
X f) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
X g) Allow welfare recipients to remain eligible for benefits while saving money for education, starting a business, or buying a home.
X h) Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
X i) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
X j) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
X k) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
l) Other
Please explain what your two main legislative priorities will be if elected. Please explain how you would obtain any additional government funding needed to implement these priorities.

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