Illinois Republican elected to serve as next ranking member of House Veterans’ Affairs Committee

Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) on Wednesday was tapped by the Republican Steering Committee to serve as the next ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

The Illinois Republican edged out Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), the ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, in the race for the position. 

Bost — who served in the Marine Corps before entering politics — currently serves as the ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. 

He will be succeeding Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), who announced his retirement in January, in the role. 

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) currently serves as the chairman of the panel. 

The Veterans’ Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over issues including health care, education benefits, vocational benefits and disability pensions for veterans.

The Steering Committee’s choices for ranking members are expected to be ratified by the full conference on Thursday.