Wagner leads effort to secure funding for victims of sexual abuse in appropriations package

Several priorities advanced by U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) regarding funding for law enforcement and victims of sexual assault and child sexual abuse were included in an appropriations package passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Rep. Wagner said she was proud to lead the effort to include significant funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces, the Debbie Smith Rape Kit Backlog program, and the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024.

“These vital programs will help survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation get the justice they deserve by ensuring the perpetrators of these horrific crimes are identified, apprehended, and put behind bars,” she said. “This bill also prioritizes funding for the Victims of Child Abuse Act so Children’s Advocacy Centers have the resources they need to support victims of abuse at an incredibly vulnerable time in their lives.”

Rep. Wagner has made combating online exploitation of women and children a legislative priority. 

This week, Rep. Wagner met with former NFL player Tim Tebow, who testified before the House Judiciary Committee on combatting child sexual abuse material. They discussed her Child Online Safety Modernization Act, H.R. 5182, which she sponsored in August 2023. 

“Appreciated meeting with Tim Tebow and discussing my Child Online Safety Modernization Act, legislation that requires online platforms to report the sex trafficking of children,” Rep. Wagner wrote on X on March 5.