Hawley celebrates radiation compensation for nuclear test survivors

Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Donald Trump’s Tuesday big, beautiful Bill.

Hawley has fought for the passage of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) since the plan was canceled in 2023. The plan was canceled in 2023 due to ongoing bipartisan advocacy.

Among the participants in the Trans-Selle were former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. , he was one of the most radical critics of the Republican Party during his time in Congress. Hawley hugs But Bush is at the event.

“Thank you, Cory. We wouldn’t be here without you and your work,” he said, recounting their previous efforts to pass legislation.

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Also at the event is Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo. Voted against OBBB, but said he supported RECA legislation. Navajo State President Buu Nygren also participated in the event and talked about the impact of nuclear testing on his community.

The bill applies to Americans, civilians, military and Navajo nationalities members across the country who are exposed to radiation due to nuclear weapons testing and storage of nuclear waste.

The event is held at one such location: St. Hin Park in St. Louis. Due to nearby nuclear waste storage, the surrounding area has been identified as a cancer hot zone.

The legislation applies to similar locations Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alaska, but advocates of the bill and Hawley himself say there is more work to be done.

“This is a great first step, but there is certainly more to do,” NAACP President John Bowman told Fox at the event. “It’s a great day, but there’s a better day.”

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NAACP President John Bowman on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Bruce Morris, Environmental Chairman of St. Louis. (Anders Hagstrom)

Bowman and others highlighted some zip codes that are not eligible for compensation, and they say some work needs to be done to expand documents Americans can use to prove they are eligible for compensation.

Dawn Chapman, founder of Just Moms STL, an advocacy group dedicated to radiation exposure issues, told Fox that the process – while difficult, still strengthened her belief in the legislative process.

House Speaker Mike Johnson in Los Angeles pointed out President Donald Trump after signing the big and beautiful bill in Washington, D.C. on July 4 (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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She recounted the staff across the aisle after the bill was passed and shared the high fives. The bill has passed through the Senate three times in recent years before finally reaching the president’s desk.

“The system is still working. It’s true,” she said. “The media doesn’t usually share it.”