Note: This analysis uses AI to help identify potential outreach strategies for space science issues. Because it uses AI, it is important to understand the sources and limitations of this analysis.
Space-related committee assignments (if present), and additional sources (if present), are from congress.gov and a direct output of a targeted web search.
Opportunities, challenges, overall summary, and preparation recommendations are products of AI analyses. The biography uses AI to summarize key aspects of the member's Wikipedia page.
All AI-generated claims, assessments, and recommendations should be independently verified.
This is an experimental feature, and intended to provide guidance and inspiration for outreach strategies for your meeting. Feedback is welcome: casey.dreier@planetary.org.
Overall Summary
Representative Bost's strong fiscal conservatism and consistent opposition to broad spending packages present a challenge for advocating increased NASA science funding, especially given his concerns about debt and wasteful spending. As Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, his legislative priorities are heavily focused on veterans' issues, potentially overshadowing other federal investments. His emphasis on traditional energy and agriculture could also lead to skepticism regarding certain Earth science initiatives.
Despite these challenges, there is a guarded optimism for outreach. His district directly benefits from significant NASA science grants, including $3.7 million for Near-Earth Object follow-up projects and over $1.6 million for Southern Illinois University's research in Martian geology, solar activity, and eclipse initiatives. These local investments, coupled with his past support for university research and proactive efforts to secure federal grants for his district, provide a strong foundation to demonstrate the tangible economic and scientific benefits of NASA's space science activities to his constituents.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider highlighting the specific local economic benefits and job creation stemming from NASA science grants to the Astronomical Research Institute and Southern Illinois University, aligning with his past support for university research and STEM education.
Explore framing NASA science investments as fiscally responsible, strategic long-term investments that yield significant returns in innovation and national security, addressing his concerns about wasteful spending.
Look into connecting NASA's scientific endeavors, such as planetary defense or Earth observation, to broader public safety and utility applications, potentially resonating with his background as a firefighter and service on the Public Utilities committee.
About Mike Bost
Served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1982.
Professional background includes firefighter, trucking business owner, and salon owner.
Served in the Illinois House of Representatives for 20 years (1995-2015).
Attended a firefighter academy program at the University of Illinois.
Served on Illinois state legislative committees including Bio-Technology and Public Utilities.
Opportunities
Local Planetary Science Investment: Representative Bost's district benefits from significant NASA grants to the Astronomical Research Institute in Charleston and Ashmore, IL, totaling $3.7 million for Near-Earth Object (NEO) follow-up projects, indicating direct local engagement with NASA's planetary science and astrophysics missions. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Local University Science Research: Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, within the district, received over $1.6 million in NASA grants for projects including Martian geology, solar activity research (Solarsteam), and a dynamic eclipse broadcast initiative, demonstrating local involvement in NASA's planetary science, heliophysics, and Earth science activities. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Proactive Federal Grant Support: Representative Bost hosted a Grants Webinar in June 2024 to assist local officials and stakeholders in securing federal funding, indicating a general proactive stance in bringing federal investment, which could include NASA science grants, to his district. (Congressman Mike Bost, 2024-06)
Support for University Research: Representative Bost has previously announced and supported federal science grants for Southern Illinois University, stating such grants provide "vitally important investment in research that may prove to further scientific research and prepare young people today for the careers of tomorrow," aligning with the university's current NASA science grants. (Congressman Mike Bost, 2018-08)
Emphasis on STEM Education: Representative Bost has a record of supporting public education and empowering educators, which indirectly fosters the STEM pipeline crucial for NASA's scientific workforce and future space exploration endeavors. (Mike Bost for Congress, 2016-10)
Challenges
Fiscal Conservatism: Representative Bost has consistently voted against "clean" government spending bills and expressed concerns about unsustainable debt and wasteful spending, which may lead to scrutiny of NASA's budget.
Competing Legislative Priorities (Veterans Affairs): As Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Representative Bost has demonstrated a primary legislative focus on veterans' issues, securing key wins in FY25 appropriations, potentially prioritizing these over other federal investments like space science.
Emphasis on Traditional Energy and Agriculture: Representative Bost advocates for an "all-of-the-above energy policy" and has recently expressed concerns about subsidizing renewable energy projects on prime farmland, which could indicate less support for certain Earth science initiatives within NASA.
Opposition to Omnibus Spending: Representative Bost has voted against large, omnibus spending packages, preferring individual appropriations bills, which could complicate efforts to secure funding for NASA science within broader legislative vehicles.
Additional Sources
[1] bost.house.gov
"BOST VOTES AGAINST DEMOCRATS’ ATTEMPT TO FEDERALIZE ELECTIONS. WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted against House Democrats legislation to federalize elections. In an attempt to circumvent Senate procedural hurdles,..."
https://bost.house.gov/press-releases?id=0A229061-EFC2-487A-833D-83C1224945D8