What Wesley Bell said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the proud Representative of the largest Bosniak population outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to stand in solidarity with them. Over the weekend, we marked 31 years since more than 8,300 Bosniaks were murdered at Srebrenica.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with the LGBTQ community as we close out a truly special month of celebration and joy. This past weekend, I had an amazing time walking in the St.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the St. Louis region, my constituents, and all the families across the country who have been impacted by the gun violence epidemic, an epidemic forgotten by some, intentionally ignored by others, that still ravages my home and our Nation.”

“Madam Speaker, no one in this Chamber disputes that improper and fraudulent payments are a serious problem. The question before us is not whether to fight fraud; it is how we fight fraud.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of all of those impacted by last year's devastating tornado. People deserve a recovery process that is prompt, transparent, and responsive to their community's actual needs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate another St. Louis star and in honor of Pride Month. I would like to recognize Jordan Braxton, an incredible champion of our community.”

“Mr. Speaker, on May 12, 2026, Oversight Committee Democrats convened the first-ever hearing to solicit testimony from survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes. The hearing, ``Survivors Fight for Justice: Exposing Epstein's Crimes in Palm Beach and Across the World,'' marked a critical step forward in the fight for justice and accountability.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor this week's St. Louis All-Stars, the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have served or are currently serving our Nation around the world.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Second Chance Month to raise awareness of the challenges faced by millions of individuals with criminal records transitioning back into society. Every day, individuals with criminal records are held back from the opportunity to rejoin society and contribute.”

“Mr. Speaker, tonight, I will begin by talking about what it meant to be Black in America before Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. The message this country sent to Black children, whether they grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, or in St.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a woman who changed St. Louis and, in doing so, changed America. Her name is Frankie Muse Freeman. In 1954, segregation was still the law of the land.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Washington University women's track and field team who just captured the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor National Championship. This team found a way to turn individual effort into a collective title.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a legend of St. Louis who passed away last week. Mama Reed knew no strangers in her community. She lived a life of service.”

“As one of the first Black teachers in the Hazelwood School District, a committeewoman, a mentor, mother, sister, auntie, she led through her example, her advice, and her unconditional and sometimes tough love.”

“Mr. Speaker, I was absent for recorded votes due to a personal commitment. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: YEA on Roll Call No. 71, H.R. 6329; YEA on Roll Call No. 72, S. 2503; NAY on Roll Call No. 73, Ordering the Previous Question on H.”

“Mr. Speaker, each month I recognize a St. Louis all-star, someone who represents the very best of our city. During Black History Month, I have been highlighting Black leaders who helped shape St.”

“Mr. Speaker, we are debating this bill because Donald Trump is still trying to overturn an election that he lost 6 years ago. Some in this body are helping him do it.”

“Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, it feels right to honor someone who has spent a lifetime making sure Black history in St. Louis was seen, recorded, and remembered.”

“After more than 40 years, Wiley Price is retiring. For decades, Wiley documented St. Louis through the lens of The St. Louis American. That matters because Black St.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today because working people in St. Louis and across this country are getting squeezed from every direction. Groceries cost more. Rent costs more. Childcare costs more.”

“Mr. Speaker, on June 22, 2020, while serving as St. Louis County prosecutor, we were notified of a crime scene at a local restaurant by homicide detectives. Myself and our outreach director at the time, Captain Clay Farmer, responded to that scene to support the investigation that shortly after would be issued by our office.”

“Madam Speaker, as the holidays roll around, I want to say this to folks across the St. Louis region: This season isn't just about what is under the tree.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Washington University women's soccer team, who just secured their second-straight Division III national championship. These student-athletes reflect the best of St.”

“Mr. Speaker, winter is here, and families across the St. Louis region and the country are opening their utility bills with a knot in their stomachs. Right now, reckless tariff policies and economic uncertainty out of the White House are driving up costs across the country and squeezing working people who are already stretched thin with higher prices at the grocery store, higher rent, and stagnant wages.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect America's Workforce Act. Mr. Speaker, we all count on a Federal workforce that shows up every day to serve, not to bend to political pressure or wonder if speaking up will cost them their jobs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I was absent during the time of votes today due to minor health concerns. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 306 and YEA on Roll Call No. 307.”

“Mr. Speaker, the State legislature may have forced through their partisan map, but in Missouri, the final word belongs to the people. Our constitution gives Missourians the right to check the politicians through the petition process.”

“Mr. Speaker, I come from Missouri, and the people I represent have serious concerns. They are worried about paying for healthcare. They are worried about the cost of food and affordable housing or raising families with some measure of security.”

“Mr. Chair, we must continue to stand with our Baltic allies who remain on the front lines of Russian aggression. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are strong democratic partners that contribute significantly to NATO's collective defense.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and remember the Honorable William Lacy Clay, Sr. ``We have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent interests.'' Our country lost a trailblazer.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating several remarkable Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for demonstrating extraordinary leadership, refreshing creativity, and a commitment to making a lasting impact by earning the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award.”

“Mr. Speaker, today our country lost a true trailblazer. Congressman William Clay passed away after a lifetime of service that reshaped St. Louis and our Nation. Already a civil rights icon before he was elected, he didn't come to Washington to play politics.”

“Mr. Speaker, let's be honest about what this is. The administration didn't try to cut PBS and NPR because of the budget. They went after them because public media doesn't play along with the never-ending lies.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Juneteenth. Why celebrate Juneteenth? Some would argue it's not the exact historical point when slavery ended . . . But I'll tell you why I do and will continue to--because it is past time we begin confronting the real history of this country.”

“Mr. Speaker, if anyone stood outside the St. Louis Job Corps Center last week, they saw what happens when cruelty becomes policy. They saw students being escorted off campus, bags in hand, dreams on hold; grandparents crying because their grandkids had finally found something that gave them a shot, and now it is gone.”

“Mr. Speaker, on Friday, May 16, deadly tornadoes ripped across the heart of our country, leaving a path of destruction through Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Virginia. Dozens of lives were lost.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, service, and unwavering commitment of Ms. Martha Jane West--a proud educator, community advocate, and lifelong champion for equity and justice--who passed peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family in Mississippi, following a lengthy illness.”

“Mr. Speaker, another child in the St. Louis region is gone too early. Marshaun Futrell, Jr., was 11 years old. He was a football star, a big brother, and a son.”

“Mr. Speaker, every day nearly half a million Americans sit in local jails without a conviction, overwhelmingly for nonviolent, low-level offenses. They are not there because they have been found guilty but because they can't afford bail or are stuck waiting for their day in court.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today not just as a Member of Congress but as the son of a police officer and as someone who spent nearly two decades working in the justice system as a public defender, defense attorney, judge, and as a prosecutor.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise as this week on March 14 in my hometown of St. Louis we are celebrating 314 Day. This day is much more than just our area code or an excuse to celebrate our hometown sports teams: the Cardinals, the Blues, St.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to remember our colleague, Representative Sylvester Turner. My colleague previously discussed his policy accomplishments, but I will take this from a different angle.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of Carol Clay, a remarkable woman whose impact on St. Louis and our Nation will never be forgotten.”

“Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to say happy birthday to my father, John Bell; happy heavenly birthday to my stepfather, Larry Greer; and happy Founder's Day to the national AME Church and, at home in St.”