Press Releases
“Grave Injustice:” Hawley Slams Congressional Leadership for Betraying Nuclear Radiation Victims & Stripping Compensation from NDAA
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor after Congressional leadership betrayed American nuclear program victims through backroom negotiations. Dealmakers stripped Senator Hawley’s bill to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) from the FY '24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senator Hawley vowed to oppose the final bill and slow down its passage. The Senate voted on an extra procedural motion today after Senator Hawley threw up a roadblock. The RECA program—which is set to expire in the coming months—compensates victims poisoned by the federal government through nuclear waste. This includes numerous residents of the greater St. Louis area and across the country....
Hawley Introduces New Legislation to Justly Compensate Landowners & Stop Federal Confiscation of Farmland
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Just Compensation Act of 2023 to prevent the federal government and private companies from confiscating Missourians' property without just compensation. "Missouri farmers work tirelessly to keep our state, and country, fed. The last thing they should have to deal with is big corporations and the federal government coming to try and take their land,” said Senator Hawley. “Congress must make it a priority to protect Missouri landowners and their property rights.” This legislation follows Senator Hawley's defense of farmers affected by the Grain Belt Express construction campaign. Last month, Senator Hawley sent a letter to Invenergy CEO Michael Polsky, demanding the company make commitments to operate in...
“Major Betrayal:” Hawley Statement After Compensation for Victims of Government Poisoning Stripped from Defense Bill
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statement after his legislation to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was stripped from the FY '24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The proposal would have compensated victims who have been poisoned by their government through nuclear waste, including those in the greater St. Louis area. Without Congressional action, the entire RECA program will expire in the coming months and leave victims without support. The provision was removed despite passing the Senate with strong bipartisan support and receiving an endorsement from President Biden. I am told RECA renewal is NOT in the final defense bill. The backroom dealmakers took it out - even after the big...
Hawley Slams Director Wray on FBI’s Targeting of Catholic Americans as ‘Violent Extremists’
Today in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray on the FBI's targeting of traditionalist Catholics. Senator Hawley discussed a report issued by the House Judiciary Committee revealing a memo outlining the weaponization of the FBI against Catholics, and repeatedly demanded that Director Wray hold accountable the individuals involved. "Now we know that in fact, FBI agents did approach a priest and a choir director to ask them to inform on parishioners [...] Good heavens, Director, this is one of the most outrageous targetings – you have mobilized your division, the most powerful law enforcement division in the world, against...
Hawley Op-Ed: Don’t Let Government Get Away With Poisoning Americans
By U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) | Dec. 4, 2023 | Real Clear Politics This year, Americans had the opportunity to revisit the origins of our nation’s nuclear program with the blockbuster film “Oppenheimer.” But there’s one story line that didn’t make the big screen: those Americans who are still paying the price. For decades, the federal government poisoned an untold number of its citizens through our atomic program. It happened everywhere, impacting uranium mine workers in Texas, Native Americans living downwind from nuclear tests in the Mountain West, and communities exposed to Manhattan Project waste in Missouri. And that’s just a small sample. [...] Now, the law that delivers some justice and compensation to these victims is about to expire. Congress must include a...
Hawley Urges Congress to Reauthorize Compensation for Nuclear Radiation Victims Before Expiration
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statement calling on Congress to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in the FY '24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to compensate victims of government-caused radiation in the greater St. Louis area. If Congress does not act, the entire existing RECA program that provides support for victims of radiation around the country will expire in a few months. Senator Hawley has pledged to oppose the NDAA if it does not include compensation for Missouri victims. Americans poisoned by our government’s nuclear tests & waste are set to lose the lifesaving help they’ve relied on for over 30 years. RECA must be reauthorized in this NDAA before it expires in just a few...
Hawley Introduces New Legislation to Protect Livestock Producers & Tackle Rising Costs
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act to protect farmers from costly regulations – made in other states – that will hurt their business and drive-up costs for consumers. In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12 which would ban the sale of pork, eggs, and calves for veal that were not produced with certain space requirements. It is estimated that California accounts for 13 percent of all pork consumption in the United States. When this law goes into full effect early next year, farmers across the country – including in Missouri – will have to comply with California’s preferred requirements to access the California market. “Missouri’s livestock producers keep food on the table across...
Hawley Brings Missourians Impacted by Radioactive Waste to U.S. Capitol, Threatens to Hold Up NDAA
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) welcomed Missouri grassroots advocates impacted by federal government-caused nuclear waste to the U.S. Capitol. He repeated his pledge to oppose and hold up the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) if it does not include compensation for the victims of decades-old radiation in the greater St. Louis area. "If this emerges from a back room, and this provision is out, the defense bill is going to face tough sledding on the floor of the Senate. [...] I am not going to vote to pay defense contractors hand over fist while the people of my state—and, frankly, across the country—are denied the compensation that they're due," said Senator Hawley. He continued, "I don't quite understand how it is that we may not have money...
Hawley Pledges to Oppose NDAA without Justice for Victims of Nuclear Contamination
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)...
Hawley Resolution Honors U.S. Marine Corps Captain Samuel Farmer, Marines and Sailors of His Platoon
Yesterday U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor recognizing the passage of his resolution honoring the heroism and sacrifice of United States Marine Corps Captain Samuel Farmer of Missouri and the Marines and Sailors he commanded as part of First Platoon, Company G, Second Battalion, First Marine Regiment. During the height of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, then-First Lieutenant Farmer and his platoon were stationed at Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, facilitating the evacuation of American citizens, permanent residents, embassy workers, and special immigrant visa holders as the region rapidly fell to the Taliban. On August 26, 2021, an Islamic State terrorist...