Bell Secures Major Wins and Millions in Critical Funding for St. Louis

December 10, 2025
Press Release

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) voted YES on the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The bipartisan legislation specifies the annual budget and expenditures of the U.S. Department of Defense and included critical investment in the St. Louis defense workforce, a 3.8% raise for servicemembers, support for our allies abroad, and much needed oversight to hold Secretary of Defense Hegseth accountable.

“While this bill is not perfect, it represents a significant and necessary step forward for our state and our nation," said Rep. Bell. "Crucially, it includes critical investments and oversight that will directly benefit the St. Louis region, securing a stronger future for the people I represent and for the country as a whole. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to champion the work the St. Louis region is doing everyday to support and strengthen our national security. No matter what, I will continue to fight to deliver for St. Louis and Missouri.”

However, the final version of the bill was not without disappointing omissions.

“Republicans, at Donald Trump’s direction, stripped out provisions protecting collective bargaining rights, expanding TRICARE coverage for IVF and fertility care, and safeguarding our efforts to ensure no military base honors Confederate traitors. I will continue fighting to restore these protections and deliver full accountability.”

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Bell was able to secure critical wins in the NDAA including:

Investing in the St. Louis Workforce and Industry:

  • Bringing home millions of dollars in programs that directly support the St. Louis defense industrial base and its skilled manufacturing workforce.
  • Protecting and advancing next-generation defense systems built in St. Louis.
  • Strengthening St. Louis’ rapidly growing geospatial and AI ecosystem, anchored by the new NGA West campus in North St. Louis, through expanded federal support for GEOINT, AI/ML, and cybersecurity initiatives.
  • Reinforcing federal support for the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, preserving readiness and regional operations.
  • Protecting DoD civilian workforce by strengthening protections against arbitrary reductions in force.

Delivering for our Servicemembers and Military Families:

  • Providing a 3.8% pay increase for servicemembers.
  • Securing $1.5 billion in new construction of barracks, dormitories, housing, and child development centers.
  • Preventing the closure and downgrading of Military Treatment Facilities, including Ft. Leonard Wood Hospital.

Supporting our Allies & Ensuring Accountability and Oversight on Trump/Hegseth: 

  • Fencing 25% of Secretary Hegseth’s travel budget until the Department releases all video evidence of recent Administration-directed strikes in the Caribbean.
  • Preventing the Administration from abandoning key allies by prohibiting unauthorized troop reductions in Europe and South Korea, maintaining force levels critical to U.S. and allied security.
  • Supporting our global Democratic allies by reauthorizing funding for crucial programs such as the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI).

Rep. Bell is a member of the House Armed Services’ Committee, serving on the Strategic Forces and Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittees. 

 

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