diff --git a/lambda_functions/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda.py b/lambda_functions/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda.py
index 695ca087fe..b9b54cf194 100644
--- a/lambda_functions/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda.py
+++ b/lambda_functions/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda_handler(event: dict, context: any):
             logger.debug(event)
             push_to_dead_letter_sqs(event, "vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda_handler")
 
-            return create_twilio_response(400)
+            return create_twilio_response()
 
         logger.info("Successfully processed event to event_bodies")
         logger.debug(event_bodies)
@@ -61,10 +61,10 @@ def vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda_handler(event: dict, context: any):
         logger.exception(e)
         push_to_dead_letter_sqs(event, "vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda_handler")
 
-        return create_twilio_response(500)
+        return create_twilio_response()
 
 
-def create_twilio_response(status_code):
+def create_twilio_response(status_code: int = 200):
     twiml_response = '<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><Response></Response>'
 
     response = {
@@ -143,11 +143,15 @@ def read_from_ssm(key: str) -> str:
     try:
         ssm_client = boto3.client('ssm')
 
+        logger.info("Generated ssm_client")
+
         response = ssm_client.get_parameter(
             Name=key,
             WithDecryption=True
         )
 
+        logger.info("received ssm parameter")
+
         return response.get("Parameter", {}).get("Value", '')
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error("General Exception With Call to VeText")
@@ -206,7 +210,7 @@ def make_vetext_request(request_body):
     connection = None
 
     try:
-        connection = http.client.HTTPSConnection(domain, context=ssl._create_unverified_context())
+        connection = http.client.HTTPSConnection(domain, timeout=6, context=ssl._create_unverified_context())
         logger.info("generated connection to VeText")
 
         connection.request(
diff --git a/tests/lambda_functions/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda/test_vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda.py b/tests/lambda_functions/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda/test_vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda.py
index c5da2c653b..ba4dc74a0f 100644
--- a/tests/lambda_functions/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda/test_vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda.py
+++ b/tests/lambda_functions/vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda/test_vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda.py
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def test_failed_sqs_invocation_call_throws_general_exception_goes_to_retry_sqs(m
     mocker.patch(f'{LAMBDA_MODULE}.process_body_from_sqs_invocation', side_effect=Exception)
     response = vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda_handler(event, None)
 
-    assert response['statusCode'] == 500
+    assert response['statusCode'] == 200
     sqs_mock.assert_not_called()
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('event', [(albInvokedWithoutAddOn), (albInvokeWithAddOn)])
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def test_failed_alb_invocation_call_throws_general_exception_goes_to_retry_sqs(m
     mocker.patch(f'{LAMBDA_MODULE}.process_body_from_alb_invocation', side_effect=Exception)
     response = vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda_handler(event, None)
 
-    assert response['statusCode'] == 500
+    assert response['statusCode'] == 200
     assert response['body'] == '<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><Response></Response>'
     sqs_mock.assert_not_called()
 
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ def test_unexpected_event_received(mocker, all_path_env_param_set):
     event = {}
     response = vetext_incoming_forwarder_lambda_handler(event, None)
 
-    assert response['statusCode'] == 400
+    assert response['statusCode'] == 200
     assert response['body'] == '<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><Response></Response>'
     sqs_dead_letter_mock.assert_called_once()