Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Ben Ray Luján have reintroduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act (RECA) to provide compensation to Americans exposed to radiation from government nuclear programs. The bill, also supported by Senators Eric Schmitt, Mark Kelly, and Martin Heinrich, comes in response to reports of more widespread radioactive waste in St. Louis than previously understood.

The reintroduction follows the failure of the House of Representatives to pass RECA before its expiration deadline in the 118th Congress. Senator Hawley emphasized the urgency of reauthorizing RECA: "The time to reauthorize RECA is now. The Senate has done this twice before and must do it again."

Senator Luján highlighted the ongoing struggle for justice faced by those affected by nuclear weapons testing and uranium mining: "In New Mexico and across the country, thousands sacrificed to contribute to our national security... Despite having passed RECA legislation twice through the Senate with broad bipartisan support... I was disheartened that Speaker Johnson refused a vote on RECA."

Hawley has been a prominent advocate for securing compensation for radiation victims both in Missouri and nationwide. The Senate has previously passed his legislation to reauthorize and expand RECA with strong bipartisan support.