'This fight is not over': St. Louis region still has a chance to get compensation for radioactive waste victims before program expires June 7

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/special-reports/radioactive/st-louis-
region-still-has-a-chance-to-get-compensation-for-radioactive-waste-
victims-before-program-expires-june-7/63-cbe78a24-a4bb-45f7-8d3b-
b86dc6109af1

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis advocates are racing against the clock to get 
federal compensation for radioactive waste victims.

Local groups have been demanding support, and the program that could help 
them is set to expire in the first week of June. 

The program is called the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, known as 
RECA. 

RECA has been up and running since 1990 and was created to compensate 
people exposed to the atomic bomb testing in Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The 
goal is to expand the program to include Missouri and other states.

The St. Louis region was a part of the effort to build a nuclear bomb.

The advocacy group Just Moms STL has been pushing for change for over a 
decade.

Now, Just Moms STL, along with Missouri legislators and the Missouri 
Coalition for the Environment, head back to Washington D.C. for the 
seventh time in a year-span, in order to get St. Louisans compensated.

Just Moms Co-founder Dawn Chapman said, "There are things in this program 
like screenings that Missourians who've been exposed need desperately and 
it will save their lives. I think we can change this. I do still think we 
can do this."

On Tuesday, the group learned Speaker Mike Johnson was considering 
extending the program and not expanding it.

This would extend the program for two more years and exclude Missouri.

Just Moms co-founders think the $50 billion price tag was the stall. 

But they believe the St. Louis region deserves the compensation and care, 
after years of neglect and suffering.

Multiple Congressional leaders took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to 
denounce the pending decision.

Chapman added, "Congresswoman Ann Wagner said, nope don't even bring it to 
the House floor, it's a hard no from us."


However, the tide turned 24 hours later. 

Wednesday evening, Johnson announced he will no longer bring a two-year 
re-authorization of RECA to the floor next week for a vote.

Rep. Wagner shared this statement: "It’s great news for Missouri that 
House leadership listened to my concerns and those of my constituents and 
pulled the Floor vote on this misguided proposal. We’re going to keep 
fighting for expansion of RECA so Missourians impacted by radiation get 
the support and compensation they deserve."

Chapman said there are still options left, including U.S. Sen. Josh 
Hawley's bill and U.S. Senator Mike Lee's bill. Both bills include 
Missouri. 

Just Moms Co-founder Karen Nickel said, "This fight is not over for us, 
we're still going to D.C."

The group plans to go to Washington D.C. on Tuesday.

RECA expires on June 7. 

The advocates are asking community members to reach out to their 
Congressional leaders to get this program expanded. 

A post said, "Congresswoman Ann Wagner and Congressman Jason Smith have 
good contact with the Speaker, we are asking everyone to call their 
offices."

Here is the information shared:

1) Thank them for championing the expansion of RECA and let them know they 
have your support.
2) Ask them to reach out to Speaker Johnson urging him to support not only 
an extension, but also the expansion of RECA. Missouri cannot be left 
behind and must be added to the RECA program. Any bill that leaves us out 
is unacceptable.

Congresswoman Wagner: 202-225-1621
Congressman Smith: 202-225-4404


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