Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statements demanding justice for victims of nuclear contamination in the greater St. Louis area. He also pledged to oppose the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) if it does not include compensation for the victims.
The defense bill will soon come before the Senate. I want to be clear: I will vote AGAINST the bill and use every available means to slow its passage unless it includes compensation for the victims of nuclear contamination in Missouri
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) November 22, 2023
There’s no way I am going to vote for billions of dollars for defense contractors if working people who were poisoned by their own government are not fairly compensated. This is basic justice
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) November 22, 2023
Background:
Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the Coldwater Creek community and all Missourians impacted by government-caused nuclear contamination. Most recently, Senator Hawley secured President Biden's endorsement of his legislation to compensate victims of nuclear radiation exposure.
On July 27, 2023, in a strong bipartisan vote, Senator Hawley secured passage of an amendment to the FY 2024 NDAA that would provide compensation to victims of government-caused nuclear contamination. The legislation extends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to cover victims of improperly-stored nuclear waste in affected areas in the St. Louis region. The measure—which was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.)—also reauthorized and strengthened the RECA program to cover more impacted Americans from nuclear tests along with uranium miners.