Wagner’s bipartisan bill to prevent atrocities signed into law

President Joe Biden has signed into law a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) that will continue vital efforts by the United States to prevent mass atrocity crimes.

“The world has seen unimaginable tragedies, and, especially in the wake of the brutal terror attack on Oct. 7, [2023]  in Israel, we know there is still much to be done to protect innocent civilians from depraved people who wish to wipe them from the Earth simply for who they are,” said Rep. Wagner, vice chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. “This legislation will ensure our government can better assist vulnerable populations globally and act quickly when time matters most.”

Biden signed into law the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Extension Act, H.R. 8105, which is named after the courageous Auschwitz survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. Rep. Wagner proposed the bill on April 20 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) to extend the reporting requirements under the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018.

“It is our responsibility to speak up and act when we see injustice,” said the congresswoman. “The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Extension Act will strengthen our ongoing efforts to respond to atrocities globally and work to prevent such crises from developing at all.”

The measure is supported by Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel, according to Rep. Wagner’s staff.