Following is the statement from Brandon Lorenz of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on tonight’s debate after Springfield Insider Mike Bost said he didn’t know enough to say if he would support the Export-Import Bank that supports jobs in the district:
“After tonight’s debate, it’s more clear than ever that Springfield Insider Mike Bost can’t be trusted on basic economic security issues for middle class families, whether it’s admitting that he doesn’t know whether he would support an institution that is responsible for millions of dollars in business in Southern Illinois or his embarrassing ignorance last week when he wrongly claimed that international pariah North Korea is exporting steel to the United States. Meltdown Mike Bost showed in the debate that his opposition to the minimum wage is part of a pattern of not giving two figs about the middle class, and that he puts the ultra-wealthy and the special interests first.”
BACKGROUND:
Bost Said there was a Concern with Steel Imports from “North Korea.” In 2014 Bost said: “Another concern is the Granite City right now has a concern with Granite City Steel, because what has occurred in, our tariffs not being place in incoming steel from China and from I think its North Korea.” [The Southern Illinoisan Editorial Board, 10/21/14]
Chicago Tribune: Bost “Not Up to Speed on Many Issues Facing Congress.” In 2014 the Chicago Tribune Editorial said Bost was “not up to speed on many issues facing Congress.” [Chicago Tribune Editorial, 10/13/14]
Export-Import Bank Supported $7 Billion in Total Exports in Illinois. In Illinois, the Ex-Im Bank has supported at least $7 billion in total exports between 2007 and 2014. [Export-Import Bank of the United States, accessed 10/29/14]