Dozens of people were out here saying they were protesting for Congressman Mike Bost to protect his constituents from the Department of Government Efficiency, and its leader Elon Musk.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ill. (WSIL)-- Dozens of people were out here saying they were protesting for Congressman Mike Bost to protect his constituents from the Department of Government Efficiency and its leader, Elon Musk.
Laura Bishop was out protesting for her daughter Molly, who is deaf and has Down syndrome. She says DOGE's cuts to government spending will impact the care her daughter receives.
“We are here because of the proposed cuts to the home base waiver program. Molly received services that keep her safe in the home,� Bishop said.
She says Molly needs 24-hour support, and that help also lets her focus on her 2 other kids.
She says the proposed cuts would greatly impact their lives, just like others who need the program.
“That burden means that I'm not able to work outside the home because I will be with Molly when she's not in school. It will mean loss of jobs for individuals in the Carbondale area,� Bishop said.
Everyone out here has different reasons why they are protesting. Jeff Rosendale says he's concerned about some of the changes happening.
“It seems like Congress has just given up their job. They're supposed to control the budget and the funding for these things. And they've just completely abdicated their job. And if they're not going to do their job, what good are they?� Rosendale asked.
One of the local organizers, Mary Rajock, says they need Mike Bost to think of everyone in ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois when he returns to Washington.
“You have more constituents than just Republicans at this point. Some of those people don't even like what's going on in this country. Please start representing all of us,� Rajcok said.
Rajcok says they hoped to catch Bost at his Murphysboro office while he's in the state on recess.
“Don't let them take away the vital living necessities of the poor people. Even the middle-class people. We're suffering. We can't afford food or gas. What's going on?� Rajcok asked.
Organizers say their next steps will be continuing to reach out to their congress members and organizing until they receive their desired outcomes from the protest of DOGE and Musk.
Congressman Mike Bost sent our team a statement in response to the protest.
It says:
"It’s a shame that liberal politicians and activists are scaring seniors, veterans, and working families into believing they’ll lose essential government services. President Trump was returned to the White House on his promise to make government work for the people. In just one month, DOGE has saved taxpayers $55 billion. The administration is rightsizing a bloated bureaucracy and making government more streamlined than it’s been in decades."
Congressman Bost will host a for people on February 24th.Â
