119th Congress
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) led four of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging the administration to present a real plan to address the rising cost of living facing families across the country. The lawmakers warned that working people are being forced into impossible choices while the administration continues to pursue policies that worsen household expenses.
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.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) introduced the Food Assurance and Security Act, legislation that reinstates and protects the federal government’s annual reporting on hunger and food insecurity in the United States. The bill requires the U.S.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) led over 80 of their colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump calling on his Administration to restore funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) following its elimination in the Rescissions Act of 2025. The lawmakers warn that cutting CPB funding will weaken local journalism, jeopardize public safety, and destabilize the federal appropriations process.
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate October 26 as a day of recognition honoring all U.S. service members currently deployed overseas and the families who support them at home.
The observance would formally recognize the sacrifices made by deployed servicemembers who serve far from home, often in harm’s way, as well as their loved ones who shoulder the burden of separation and uncertainty in their absence.
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) led 39 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth condemning the Department of Defense’s decision to administratively separate service members with long-term medical shaving waivers. The lawmakers warned that the policy will disproportionately harm Black service members, undermine troop morale, and needlessly reduce military readiness.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the FEMA Operations Continuity Act of 2025 to ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can continue delivering disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation assistance during a lapse in government funding.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), introduced the Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025, a bipartisan measure to ensure the United States maintains a clear, comprehensive understanding of the threats facing Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania from hostile actors, including Russia, China, Iran, Belarus, and North Korea.
Washington, D.C.—Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the William Lacy Clay Sr. Memorial Stamp Act to create a commemorative postage stamp in honor of the late William Lacy Clay Sr.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) introduced the bipartisan Gateway Partnership Act of 2025, legislation that would allow the National Park Service to work directly with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host private events in Park buildings — turning underused public space into an economic and cultural engine for the city.
Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement after voting NO on the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act:
Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced the bipartisan 988 day resolution to raise awareness of the lifesaving role of the suicide & crisis lifeline. A companion resolution has been introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and John Kennedy (R-La.). The House’s 988 Day resolution is part of a broader legislative package highlighting the importance of suicide prevention.
Washington, D.C.—Today, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) introduced the Healthy Servicemembers Act, which directs the Secretary of Defense to screen and register service members and their families who develop medical conditions resulting from living in unsafe military housing.
“The Governor's special session is about power. Trump has the lowest approval rating in modern history, and Republicans know they can’t win fairly so they're cheating. They’re trying to erase Congressman Cleaver’s seat, erase voters, and erase accountability.
This is the new Republican playbook: bend the knee to a failed president, tear down anything that gets in their way, and cling to power by silencing voices they can’t beat at the ballot box. It’s not politics as usual anymore. It’s a raw fight between democracy and tyranny.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the St. Louis RECA Readjustment Act, legislation that expands the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include two additional St. Louis ZIP codes—63106 and 63107—long impacted by the lasting consequences of radioactive contamination from the Manhattan Project.
I’m inviting you to join me at my Job Fair on Thursday, July 31st! It’ll be from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Millennium Student Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
I’m hosting this event to connect folks with real job opportunities. Come dressed to impress and bring a few copies of your resume—some employers may be hiring on the spot.
Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement on the passing of the Honorable William “Bill” Lacy Clay Sr.
Washington, D.C.—Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement after voting NO on the Republicans' “Big Beautiful Bill”.
“What happened on the House floor today will go down as one of the darkest votes in modern American history. This bill wasn’t about cutting waste, balancing budgets, or fiscal responsibility. It was about taking from the poor to give even more to the rich.
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), along with U.S. Representatives Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Mike Turner (R-Ohio), and Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), released the following statement after they introduced the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement:
Washington, D.C.— U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Sam Graves (R-Mo.) introduced the TUTOR Act, bipartisan legislation to prohibit the Department of Defense from contracting with online tutoring companies owned or controlled by foreign adversaries.
Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement:
Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) led a letter with 41 bipartisan lawmakers in urging major social media companies to take immediate action against the rise of hate speech and incitement to violence on their platforms following two recent antisemitic attacks.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act, legislation aimed at increasing transparency and improving public safety through comprehensive data collection on interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals with mental illness. This introduction comes during Mental Health Awareness Month, underscoring the urgent need to better understand and address how mental health intersects with public safety.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and five Representatives of the Missouri Delegation, along with both Missouri Senators, led a bipartisan letter to President Trump urging immediate approval of Governor Mike Kehoe’s request for a major disaster declaration following the deadly and destructive storms that struck the St
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement following his vote against the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”:
“The shameful bill Republicans just rammed through in the dead of night hands a massive tax break to the richest Americans, while folks in St. Louis are stuck holding the bill.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) led a letter, signed by U.S.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement in response to deadly storms that devastated the St. Louis region:
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement in response to the passing of former Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond:
“Kit Bond served Missouri with dedication—as Governor, Senator, and public servant for decades. His commitment to our state was unwavering. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
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Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) announced that the City of St. Louis has been awarded $4,902,750 through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program. This funding will support the design phase of a new public-use deicing pad and containment facility at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), along with Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), led a letter to President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi raising serious concerns over the potential nomination of Ed Martin to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Today, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The resolution honors the more than one million Americans living with Parkinson’s disease and calls for increased public awareness, federal research investment, and support for individuals and families affected by the condition.
WASHINGTON D.C. – This week, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), and LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) introduced the Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act, which would invest $360 million in grant funding to establish state and local gun buyback programs to help prevent gun violence, remove unwanted firearms from communities nationwide and empower local safety efforts.
Washington, D.C.— In case you missed it, last week, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced his first major legislative package in Congress: the Justice Forward Agenda. The bold, two-part initiative aims to transform the criminal legal system by shifting away from punishment and incarceration and toward community-based alternatives that promote prevention, stability, and public safety.
Washington, D.C.— U.S.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) introduced the Shell Company Abuse Act, a bipartisan bill that wou
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced his first major legislative package in Congress: the Justice Forward Agenda. This bold, two-part initiative aims to transform the criminal legal system by shifting away from punishment and incarceration and toward community-based alternatives that promote prevention, stability, and public safety.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Representative Jason Smith (R-Mo.) led the entire Missouri delegation in the House and Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) in sending a letter to President Donald J.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) led 27 of his colleagues in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning the Trump Administration’s recent firings of employees at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), and expressing alarm at broader efforts to dismantle the institution without Congressional approval.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) joined Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) and 4 of his colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding she appoints an independent special counsel to investigate the security breach involving senior Trump officials sharing classified military plans on an unsecured messaging app.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) applauded Boeing’s recent selection by the U.S. Air Force to develop and build its new sixth-generation fighter jet under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. This major contract victory is set to secure thousands of high-quality aerospace jobs in St. Louis and reinforces the region’s critical role in advancing American defense and innovation.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) led a letter with 34 Members of Congress urging Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to reject proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), emphasizing the severe risks to public safety demonstrated by recent deadly storms across America.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Wesley Bell unveiled the application for Community Project Funding (CPF) requests for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations process.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) announced that he will be attending tomorrow’s Joint Session of Congress alongside Keisha Lee, CEO of Annie Malone Children & Family Services. Their joint appearance underscores the need to provide critical federal support for community services that have suffered from President Trump’s recent proposed funding freeze and budget cuts.
The selected projects for the FY26 Appropriations cycle are available here.
The House Committee on Appropriations is currently accepting Community Project Funding (CPF) requests—commonly known as earmarks—from Members of Congress. The deadline to submit requests to our office is April 21, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2406.
Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) met with union members from across the St. Louis region at Iron Workers Local 396 to discuss issues surrounding labor rights under the new administration including threats to the right to organize and collectively bargain. They also discussed Bell’s efforts to protect civil service members as well as opportunities for expanding workforce and apprenticeship training.
Washington, D.C.— Last week, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) announced $6,999,118 in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to increase the housing supply and make renting and homeownership more affordable for families in St. Louis. The funds were awarded through HUD’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program, which helps communities cut bureaucratic red tape, streamline development, and address local barriers to affordable housing.
