June 12th marks Women Veterans Recognition Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, which gave women the right to permanently serve in the Armed Forces. To every woman who has worn the uniform, we thank you!

It was a pleasure to sit down with members of the National Milk Producers Federation, including Alonzo and Megan Shoaf of Prairie Farms in Effingham County. June is National Dairy Month – a great opportunity to discuss agriculture jobs and the ongoing push to protect dairy terms from being used on imitation products.

Republicans win! Final score was 11-2. Great night at the ballpark for a good cause.

Out at Nationals Park in D.C. tonight for the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. One night a year Members of Congress trade debates for dugouts and suits for jerseys to raise money for kids and families in need. Go GOP! foxnews.com/video/6398101943…

Democrats spent months blocking funding for Border Patrol agents and immigration security. Tonight I voted for the Secure America Act to make sure that Border Patrol, CBP, ICE, and Homeland Security personnel receive full funding through September 2029. Enough of the uncertainty that puts Americans’ safety at risk.

Great to meet with Brad Blair and Tonya Crow of the Illinois Propane Gas Association as well as Ryan Rohr and James Ankenbrand of Wabash Valley Service Co. today for their “Propane Days” visit. Energy policy hits close to home for farmers and rural families across Southern Illinois, and I appreciate hearing about their work to fuel our rural communities.

Today marks the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, one of the most consequential days in human history. On June 6, 1944, thousands of young Americans crossed the English Channel and stormed the beaches of Normandy under withering fire. Many never came home. As a Marine and chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I think about those men every year on this day. I encourage you to do the same this weekend, as we all reap the benefits of the sacrifices those brave servicemembers made.

John and Lisa Schaefer have built something special with Baseball Card Connection in downtown Effingham, and this week they were invited to speak at a Topps and Fanatics reception at the National Museum of the American Indian here in Washington, D.C. It was great to meet with them and help facilitate a tour of the U.S. Capitol while they were in town. Congratulations to them both on this well-deserved recognition.

For America’s 250th, Murphysboro is marking the moment the right way. The General John A. Logan Museum and the city are hosting a three-day celebration this weekend, June 5-7, honoring both the nation's anniversary and the 200th birth year of one of Southern Illinois' greatest sons, General John A. Logan. Expect a grand parade, live music, living history demonstrations, and more. If you're in the area, this one is worth attending. kfvs12.com/2026/05/22/three-…

My staff will be hosting mobile office hours across Southern Illinois this June so you can speak with our casework experts face-to-face with comfort and convenience. Please visit with any questions you may have regarding veterans’ benefits, Social Security, Medicare, the IRS, and more.

If you’re looking for a way to honor our fallen heroes on Memorial Day, there are several ceremonies being held in our area. Mound City National Cemetery will hold its observance on Monday at 10 a.m., and Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis will do the same. In Alton, the National Cemetery's Sunset Ceremony takes place that evening at 6 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. For a full list of VA national cemetery ceremonies near you, visit cem.va.gov/volunteer/Memoria….

Every member of Congress is keenly aware that American strength and freedom are not free; they’re paid for and secured by the selfless sacrifice of our military personnel and their families. As Memorial Day approaches, this week, House Republicans advanced two pieces of legislation which will safeguard the constitutional rights of American veterans and deliver meaningful relief to Gold Star families. It’s our duty to support the men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom, and I commend Chairman Bost and Rep. Barrett for their leadership in support of America’s veterans.

Tonight the House passed my Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. No veteran should lose their Second Amendment rights simply because they need help managing their finances, but that is exactly what’s been happening. Without a judge's ruling or any finding that a veteran is a danger to anyone, a VA bureaucrat could report them to the FBI's background check system and strip them of their right to bear arms. That is not how we treat the men and women who defended our Constitution. This bill puts a permanent end to that injustice, and as a Marine, proud gun owner, and Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I could not be more proud to have led the charge for its passage.

Chairman @RepBost’s Veterans #2A Protection Act is on the floor today. This is commonsense legislation that restores veterans’ constitutional rights — let’s get it done. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

This week I voted for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a sweeping bill to increase housing supply, expand access to homeownership, and cut red tape that drives up housing costs. For Southern Illinois, this bill takes important steps to support rural housing, expand manufactured housing options, and make it easier for first-time buyers to secure small-dollar mortgages. Hardworking families deserve a fair shot at owning a home, and this bill moves us in the right direction.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected American Airlines to provide Essential Air Service at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion. Starting later this summer, American will operate 12 round trips per week between Marion and Chicago’s O'Hare Airport using 65-passenger regional jets, nearly doubling the current capacity. I worked closely with airport officials, American Airlines, and the Department of Transportation to help make this happen, and I am thrilled it will produce a real boost for the region.

I supported the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act this week, which helps young people moving out of the foster care system access stable housing and the support services they need. This bill makes sure those who have been through foster care can access resources that position them for stable lives.

Today I introduced legislation to establish May 29th as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. Our farmers are proud, salt of the Earth people, but they face tremendous pressures in a tough industry. The stress that comes with the profession is real, with a suicide rate 3.5 times higher than the general population. Volatile markets, rising input costs, and unpredictable weather don't just threaten a family farm's bottom line, they take a toll on mental health, too. This legislation is a step towards making sure they know that if they’re struggling, they don’t have to struggle alone.

Today, I had the honor of greeting a group of Southern Illinois veterans who were in D.C. as part of the Honor Flight program. These men and women raised their right hand to serve when it counted most, and it never gets old shaking their hand, looking them in the eye, and saying “thank you.”

As Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I was proud to vote for the Military Construction and VA Appropriations Act, which passed in the House this week. This bill fully funds the VA, expands telehealth services, safeguards the Veterans Crisis Line, bars the VA from closing rural hospitals without first reporting to Congress, and protects ambulance reimbursement rates for veteran transport. These are big wins for the men and women who served in uniform.