Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) issued a statement today following information from Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) office indicating that the House will consider a Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) bill that does not provide compensation to victims in Missouri, New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation.

In March, Speaker Johnson committed to collaborating with stakeholders on reauthorization measures after the House did not address reauthorization legislation before its expiration.

"Mike Johnson’s office tell us he will ask the House to pass a dirty RECA bill that gives NOTHING to Missouri, New Mexico, the Navajo Nation, our atomic vets or anyone else poisoned by their own government. Total dereliction. No member from Missouri can possibly vote for this," stated Senator Hawley via Twitter on May 28, 2024.

Senator Hawley further emphasized his stance: "Let me be clear: no RECA bill that excludes Missouri will pass the Senate by consent. I will demand every procedural vote. And every vote will be a reminder the House would rather fund foreign wars than compensate Americans poisoned by their government."

Last week, Senator Hawley opposed a RECA bill proposed by Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) on the Senate floor and vowed to block any attempts at passing RECA reauthorization without including compensation for Missourians. Senator Hawley's legislation aimed at reauthorizing and expanding RECA to include Missouri and other states has passed the Senate twice with significant bipartisan support.