A legislative deadline for thousands of St. Louisans affected by radioactive waste is just weeks away. The House has until June 7 to pass the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
This week, an area advocacy group visited Washington D.C. for the fifth time since September, advocating for the legislation. Dawn Chapman and Karen Nickels co-founded Just Moms STL over a decade ago. They've spent years advocating for people who have become sick from the radioactive waste in North St. Louis County.
Nickels described this visit as their "most successful visit yet."
For months, the group has been trying to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson. They got a step closer to that goal on Thursday. Congresswoman Ann Wagner helped Nickel and Chapman set up a meeting with Speaker Johnson's Policy Director.
"They really had no idea that we were still being exposed here, that that we had found radioactivity in our parks and in our homes and in our backyards and schools. And so there was a lot of information exchanged. And really, we left them with facts and documents, and really no more excuses as to why we can't get RECA on the Floor for a vote," Nickel said.
They shared stories of victims from our area. Nickel said the policy director was "nearly moved to tears."
"I think that he was a little bit stunned. And emotions were flowing in that meeting from him and from the other two members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, people that were in that meeting as well." Nickel said.
Their advocacy is deeply personal, too.
"I was exposed to Manhattan Project waste and my parents had no idea." Nickels said at a press conference calling on Speaker Johnson to pass RECA.
In the many meetings at nation's capitol, they shared stories of victims in our area, including Chapman's son.
"My son has been very ill for two years, has actually been ill for longer than that, but with another illness. And almost bedridden, it's been very difficult. And we don't have a medical reason why" Chapman said.
Just Moms says getting RECA through the House is about more than just the compensation. The program would also provide resources that helps with early detection of sickness and prevent longer complications.
"My district of St. Louis doesn’t only need RECA, they deserve RECA" says Congresswoman Cori Bush "Every minute (Speaker Johnson) lets this bipartisan, Senate-passed legislation sit in his lap without action is a minute closer to people having life-saving compensation taken away. We must extend and expand RECA Now."
The group also met with other people who work for House leadership while in D.C. And they have been told they have the votes they need, all that's left now is for the Speaker to bring RECA to the House floor for a vote.
"We did more than we set out to do, and we didn't even have time to prepare. So I think that we're being carried and I think that we did enough. I think he's gonna move."
Another group of advocates plans to visit Washington D.C. as part of Atomic Bomb Victims Day next Wednesday. They will be meeting with Senators and members of Congress.
Here is a statement from Congresswoman Ann Wagner on Thursday's meeting:
“I had a great meeting with advocates today and I was also glad to facilitate a meeting for them with the Speaker’s office and the Energy and Commerce Committee. I will continue to fight for reauthorization and expansion of RECA.”