Springfield Standard

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Eric Schmitt spoke on the Senate floor urging passage of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act to compensate those impacted by Manhattan Project nuclear waste. The act, first enacted in 1990 with the support of the late Senator Orrin Hatch and President George H.W. Bush, is a compensation program for Americans who were unknowingly exposed to radiation during the Manhattan Project and later Cold War testing programs.

Nuclear waste mismanagement has had devastating consequences, as highlighted by Senator Schmitt. He emphasized a specific incident in Missouri where nuclear waste was improperly stored, leading to contamination of a local creek where children played, resulting in cancer cases among them. Additionally, tens of thousands of Americans were exposed to radiation from atmospheric tests without any warning, causing long-term health issues.

The impact of this careless waste disposal extends to various communities, including Senator Schmitt's hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. The repercussions of these actions have lingered for decades, affecting the health and well-being of residents.

In response to these pressing issues, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act was passed on Thursday afternoon by a vote of 69–30. This legislative move aims to provide compensation to individuals affected by nuclear radiation from the Manhattan Project and subsequent events.