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