U.S. Senator Josh Hawley | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley | Official U.S. Senate headshot
The U.S. Senate has passed Senator Josh Hawley's legislation to reauthorize and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) with strong bipartisan support. The bill, which aims to compensate victims of government radiation, received a vote of 69-30.
Senator Hawley emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, "This isn’t about a handout. This isn’t about some kind of welfare program. This is about doing basic justice by the working people of this nation, whom their own government has poisoned. This is the day when we break the cycle of lies from the government, when we break the cycle of passing the buck and irresponsibility from the government."
The reauthorization of RECA, which is set to expire soon, will provide much-needed compensation to victims of radioactive waste in various impacted areas, including St. Louis, Mo., and St. Charles, Mo. Without this funding, individuals suffering from diseases and cancers caused by government nuclear waste would be left without the necessary support for treatment.
Joining Senator Hawley in this effort are Senators Ben Ray Lujan, Mike Crapo, Eric Schmidt, Martin Heinrich, Mark Kelly, and Kyrsten Sinema, who are co-sponsors of the legislation.
Senator Hawley has been a staunch advocate for radiation victims, leading the fight for their just compensation in Missouri and across the nation. He has been actively engaging with relevant authorities and stakeholders to address the issue, including sending letters and making public statements to raise awareness and spur action.
The passage of this legislation in the Senate marks a significant step towards providing justice and support to those affected by government-caused radiation. Senator Hawley's unwavering commitment to this cause demonstrates his dedication to ensuring that victims receive the assistance they deserve.