Wagner Votes to Advance Peace Through Strength, Invest in Missouri-made Defense Production

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after she voted for H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027:

"Today's passage of the NDAA is a massive win for Missouri and our national security. The greater St. Louis region is critical to the defense of our nation and to our military strength, and I successfully led initiatives to make sure our Missouri-made programs receive over $12 billion in support. This includes more than $4.9 billion for the new F-47 stealth fighter, $3.6 billion for our F-15s, $1.9 billion for our F/A-18s, $1.3 billion for the MQ-25 drone, and over $360 million for Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Small Diameter Bombs. I was also proud to lead the effort to invest millions of dollars in Mizzou's MANTIS program, which will support our small businesses and the local defense industrial base in building the F-47. All of these efforts together account for thousands of jobs across our community.

"Our American warfighters put their lives on the line for our freedoms every day, and they deserve to have our full support on the battlefield and here at home. Today's NDAA invests in the men and women of our armed forces by modernizing our military, expanding defense production capacity, and providing a crucial pay raise for our troops while improving housing, education, and childcare for military families. I will always stand with and support investments in our military and our state, and this legislation will ensure our adversaries will never gain a competitive edge on the battlefield, in no small part due to our Missouri-made capabilities."

St. Louis NDAA Initiatives

1. $4.9 for F-47 stealth fighter

2. $3.6 billion for F-15 Eagle

3. $1.9 billion for F/A 18 Super Hornets

4. $1.3 billion for MQ-25 drones

5. $227 million for Joint Direct Attack Munitions

6. $135 million for Small Diameter Bombs

7. $5 million for Mizzou F-47 defense industrial base program

• Rep. Wagner led the appropriations request that secured $5 million for Mizzou's Manufacturing Advancement for Novel Technology Innovation and Sustainment (MANTIS) program that will expand the existing network of Missouri-based manufacturers to help local businesses work together and with Boeing to create a resilient Missouri supply chain for the production of the F-47. MANTIS will be executed at Missouri S&T's Protoplex, which houses more than fifty state-of-the art advanced manufacturing systems, allowing local businesses to develop and mature emerging manufacturing technologies necessary to support the F-47. MANTIS will also provide modern, hands-on training to ensure local businesses have a skilled workforce capable of reinforcing Missouri's stellar defense industrial base.