West STL News

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a statement following the House's passage of two pieces of appropriations legislation that included three of her amendments.

“Today’s appropriations legislation makes good on our promise to the American people to secure our border, ensure our nation’s national security remains strong, and protect some of the most vulnerable among us. Our nation is under threat not just from the new axis of evil that is China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, but also from traffickers at our Southern Border who smuggle illegal immigrants and fentanyl into our communities. Thank you to my colleagues for supporting three of my amendments to the Homeland Security Appropriations legislation and Department of Defense appropriations legislation that will provide vital funding for investigations of child exploitation, as well as funding for isostatic advanced armor production that will ensure greater protection for our troops who put their lives on the line for our freedoms,” Wagner stated.

The amendments include:

Department of Defense Appropriations:

- An amendment to increase funding for isostatic advanced armor production by $6 million. This funding aims to support the development of cutting-edge processes for armor production, yielding higher armor strengths, decreased weight, and flexible shapes suitable for unique body types including small statured and female soldiers. Saint Louis area manufacturers are at the forefront in developing this armor.

Homeland Security Appropriations:

- An amendment to increase funding for the ICE/HSI Human Exploitation Rescue Operation (HERO) Child Rescue Corps from $2 million to $4 million. The HERO Child Rescue Corps Program is a paid federal internship that recruits and trains veterans to become computer forensic analysts focused on combating child exploitation and rescuing child victims.

- An amendment to increase funding for ICE/HSI child labor investigations from $6 million to $10 million. This measure addresses concerns raised by reports indicating that approximately 85,000 migrant children were lost track of by the Biden Administration and later found in labor trafficking situations throughout the country. The amendment seeks accountability and protection against abuse for these children.