Wesley Bell — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Missouri, 2026

Wesley Bell voted against a measure in 2026 that aimed to crack down on undocumented migrants accused of crimes. He also introduced the No ICE Ads Act, legislation designed to prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from using funds to promote U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or recruit its personnel. Additionally, he voted against the "Big Ugly Bill" due to its allocation of millions of dollars to the ICE budget, and has called for accountability regarding ICE operations and agents.

“And what my voting record has shown is that I pushed back against the 'Big Ugly Bill.' One of the things that that Big Ugly Bill did was add millions and millions of dollars to the ICE budget. And that's another reason that I voted against it. - Wesley Bell, KSDK.com”

Wesley Bell voted "Nay" on H.R. 6703, the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act," in 2025. He expresses support for universal healthcare and has criticized Republican opposition to healthcare subsidies. Bell argues that Republican actions contribute to rising healthcare costs and the potential loss of coverage for millions of Americans.

Wesley Bell views climate change as a crisis, emphasizing the need for action and environmental justice to ensure all communities have a clean and healthy environment regardless of their race, income, or ZIP code. He advocates for the removal and cleanup of radioactive waste near Westlake Landfill and Coldwater Creek. He also voted Nay on H.R.4758, the "Homeowner Energy Freedom Act" on February 25, 2026.

“Climate change is a crisis, and we need to be doing more to address it. Everyone should live in a clean and healthy environment regardless of their race, income, or ZIP code. - Wesley Bell for Congress”

Wesley Bell states that every person deserves the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions without government interference. As a county prosecutor in 2022, he was among the first to sign a letter vowing against prosecuting those seeking or performing abortions. Bell pledges to fight for women’s rights to access safe and legal reproductive healthcare, including abortion and birth control, and supports federal legislation to codify the central components of Roe v. Wade.

“Every person deserves the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions without government mandates or political interference. The sad reality in Missouri is that women do not have access to abortion at all, including in cases of rape and incest. Across the country, right-wing extremists—in legislatures and in courts—are restricting or banning access to reproductive care as they push for a federal ban. In 2022, I was one of the first county prosecutors in the country to sign a letter vowing not to prosecute those who seek or perform abortions. I will always fight for women’s rights to access safe and legal reproductive health care, including abortion and birth control. I will support federal legislation to codify the central components of Roe v. Wade into law to protect a woman's [...]. (Wesley Bell, via his campaign website bell4mo.com and Ballotpedia.org)”

Wesley Bell voted against the final Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, citing concerns over the removal of Democratic amendments, politicization of the armed forces, and insufficient oversight. He advocates for strengthening alliances and addressing global challenges, including supporting global democratic allies such as Ukraine and Baltic security initiatives. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he worked to prevent unauthorized troop reductions in Europe and South Korea.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, we have spent the past nine months working on a bipartisan national defense bill that increases pay for our service members, strengthens defense acquisition, and safeguards our national security. However, the version of the bill on the floor did not include any meaningful Democratic amendments that address urgent threats to our security and to the integrity of our armed forces. [...] House Republicans are ignoring the serious abuses being done by the Trump Administration: deploying the military for domestic law enforcement, claiming unchecked power to define threats and launch military action, and politicizing the armed forces by dismissing qualified leaders who served with honor. It strips away inspectors general charged with rooting out waste and misconduct, sidelines senior military lawyers who uphold justice, and removes top experts in areas like cyber defense—all because they were deemed not loyal enough to Trump. Such actions weaken oversight, degrade readiness, and jeopardize our security. [...] Instead of advancing the bipartisan bill that left committee with overwhelming support—House Republicans have kneeled to Trump and turned a bipartisan bill into one that is filled with culture war filled topics. For those reasons, I voted NO.” – U.S. Representative Wesley Bell, statement after voting NO on FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, September 10, 2025.”

Wesley Bell introduced the Reinvest in Public Schools Act of 2026, which allows public school districts to refinance bonds at lower rates, reinvesting savings into classrooms and facilities. As a former educator, he believes every student deserves a world-class public education, regardless of background, supporting diverse post-high school paths, including colleges, trade schools, and HBCU initiatives.

“Every student deserves to have a world-class public education, regardless of their ZIP code or their family’s income. As a former educator, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to reforming our education system. Students graduating high school should know about all of the educational and career paths in front of them. That includes four-year colleges, community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs. And I support the Biden-Harris Administration’s initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. — Wesley Bell, bell4mo.com/issues (Undated)”

Wesley Bell supports gun safety laws to enhance public safety and reduce gun violence, which he views as a preventable issue affecting communities. He co-introduced the Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act on April 23, 2025, proposing $360 million in grant funding for state and local gun buyback programs. This initiative aims to prevent gun violence and remove unwanted firearms from communities.

“As a responsible gun owner, I support common sense gun safety laws. It is critical that we pass these laws in order to improve public safety. Gun violence is the single most preventable issue that our country is facing. As the Prosecuting Attorney in the largest county in the state, I see first-hand how gun violence tears apart our communities. During my time in office, I have made significant changes to improve public safety and address gun violence in St. Louis County. Our Gun Violence Reduction Task Force, Chiefs Advisory Committee, and expansion of ShotSpotter technology have helped address underlying issues that lead to crime. We have worked tirelessly with our partners within 55 police departments to improve public safety." - Wesley Bell, Ballotpedia, under 'Common Sense Gun Reform and Public Safety' section.”