Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley led discussions and toured nuclear-affected sites in the St. Louis area alongside Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin. During this visit, Administrator Zeldin committed to initiating cleanup efforts for radioactive waste that has been impacting Missouri residents since the Manhattan Project era at the West Lake Landfill.

The day began with a round-table discussion at Bridgeton City Hall, where Senator Hawley and Administrator Zeldin met with survivors and advocates from the St. Louis region who have been affected by radioactive waste exposure. Following this meeting, they visited both the West Lake Landfill and Coldwater Creek, locations that have seen slow progress in government-led remediation efforts.

Administrator Zeldin's visit fulfills a prior commitment made to Senator Hawley to personally assess these sites as an initial step toward remediation in Missouri. Senator Hawley also urged his colleagues to support his Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), aimed at providing restitution to radiation victims.

Senator Hawley has consistently advocated for compensation for radiation victims in Missouri and nationwide. He recently reintroduced his bipartisan RECA bill designed to compensate individuals exposed to radiation due to federal nuclear programs. The Senate passed similar legislation proposed by Senator Hawley twice during the last Congress with strong bipartisan backing.