(WSIL) -- U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-12th District) is tackling the veteran suicide crisis and weighed-in on several issues during an interview with WSIL Tuesday afternoon.
Bost spoke about the Access to Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act, a bill he introduced to the House of Representatives on Monday.
The bill would require suicide prevention coordinators on staff at all times and available to help local veterans considering suicide. Bost says about 20 veterans commit suicide each day.
"Of the 20 that commit suicide, only six have ever been to a VA hospital before," Bost said. "We want to make sure that they know that it's available for them.
Bost has also been watching calls for ethics reform in Illinois from lawmakers on both sides, in the wake of the ComEd bribery .
Speaker Mike Madigan (D) was in the scheme but has denied all allegations.
"Do I believe that a lot of the problems in the state... are being caused by Mike Madigan? Yes," Bost said. "Madigan's power is more important to him than the long-term benefit of the state."
Black Lives Matter protests have been held in towns like , Benton and Carbondale since the death of George Floyd back in May. Bost says he stands against racism but doesn't want the group's protests to result in anarchy.
"Not only black lives matter, but every life matters that's out there," Bost said.
Bost also spoke about issues facing the U.S. Postal Service while USPS it would halt operational changes. Bost is heading to Washington, D.C. on Saturday to vote on whether to grant funding to USPS.
"I have supported the USPS and will continue to do so," Bost said. "My hope is that there's a clean bill with funding and then I will vote for that... as long as there is not other political things placed in there."
