Message from the Moms – December 7, 2023
While I’m disappointed to report that our RECA amendment didn’t make it into the NDAA, we are not done! We have other avenue’s to add this in. We could not have had a stronger advocate on this issue than US Senator Josh Hawley. The Senator and his staff worked tirelessly to call attention to the expiring term of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and to the compelling need to extend its scope to include fair compensation to residents of Missouri and New Mexico and other downwinders poisoned by the federal government’s radioactive waste that was carelessly stored or misplaced throughout the country. Senator Hawley told us today he is definitely not finished and we believe him. If I were an official of the US Department of Energy, I would be extremely anxious about what the senator is going to do next. As for the Moms, we will be back in DC in January or sooner if needed to GET THIS DONE!! – Dawn Chapman – Just Moms STL – December 7, 2023
Message from the Moms – November 2023
Hi All:
Thanks for the messages. So yes, Just Moms STL was also contacted by a DC Lobbying firm about RECA and expanding Downwinders. Which absolutely must happen!! Our Federal Elected Officials do know about it and are working behind the scenes and have been for several months! This is a very heavy policy lift! Some of the things that are being looked into are as follows:
- We are also having great conversations with elected officials about lowering the clean-up levels listed in the North County Record of Decision (ROD), that were set in 2005. Whether this means changing the ROD or the Corps applying lower levels is being looked into.
- Do we qualify for Downwinder status based on the current language or does it need to be changed or updated to include our St. Louis Sites? This is being looked into in D.C.
- BUDGET!! What is the budget needed to include not just St. Louis processing sites, but other sites around the country that would be included, if the language is either changed or formally clarified?
- SUPPORT and OPPOSITION! Without an accurate budget of what this expansion would look like, many of the Representatives of communities who have been on the list for years who currently qualify could be opposed to this legislation because it could dilute the funds and mean less for them. For our West Lake folks, you remember this is why the addition into the FUSRAP program did not happen at the landfill. In fact, a group or two locally also had concerns that it would hurt the clean up around the creek for WL to be included. This narrative will now unfortunately be used against us.
- The big issue!! Many of these sites that would be included in this Federal Program also need to have more $$$ sent their way for expanded and expedited clean ups. This makes the price tag ASTRONOMICAL! Because of this, the price of this legislation must be calculated correctly. Passing legislation without the proper funding attached would not help us!
- We believe this is going to happen! We believe that the outreach within North County and into St. Charles County has never been stronger. This is why we have worked with Christen Commuso and MCE as well as other groups to knock on over 1,000 doors so far. After phone calls to a few offices today, we are holding off on a call to action because action is already happening behind the scenes. But you know us…if at any time we feel like it is not, we will post about it immediately. Accountability is our superpower!
- Last but not least!! It is very important to us that we include representatives from the community who not only used to live in it and have fought for over a decade…but those who currently live in it and serve their community in many ways. You are going to see many new faces in the next few months who have a current perspective on what the challenges of living in a poisoned community looks like. Inclusiveness going forward is going to be the most important part of this very heavy lift!
AMAZING things are happening! Already several pieces of legislation have been introduced by Congresswoman Cori Bush! As stated above, we will have a call to action at some point but are waiting to see where to aim it towards, so the results are calculated and create movement in areas where it is needed. We are grateful to all groups and organizations who have continued to pursue the clean-up and sought justice for what has happened in our region. We acknowledge the many battles won and the hard work it took to get them by all who have worked tirelessly. We are excited to see the new faces and groups that come together to help expand the movement going forward!
Message from the Moms – November 30, 2023
Dawn Chapman and I made a very very last minute decision on Sunday to go to DC…We just felt like we were needed and if this doesn’t go in our favor, we didn’t want to carry around that feeling of “what if we could have done more”
This was by far the most intense trip we have ever taken. Balancing meetings with 7 different offices and times, last minute national media, getting from one building to another, thousands of steps and stairs, all while trying to keep everyone updated.
While we had hoped for a meeting with McConnell’s staff, we couldn’t get one, so we just dropped in, left some handouts and recuperated for a bit sitting in his office. It was our last stop of the day, our last effort! We were all so hungry and tired and physically felt like we couldn’t take another step or set of stairs…so we sat there for a few minutes and regrouped. We left with fingers crossed and ready to get home to our families.
As of today…
Things are still being negotiated, and we are still in this. To even be where we are right now is just unbelievable! As of right now. It sounds like we will not hear anything until Monday. We ask that you keep making calls to Speaker Johnson and Leader Mitch McConnell. Asking them to please keep the RECA amendment in the NDAA. Speaker Johnson 202-225-4000
Mitch McConnell 202-225-1621 A big thank you to all of you for your support. It means the world to both of us and we wouldn’t be where we are today without you! Karen Nickel – Just Moms STL – November 30, 2023
Message from the Moms – November 29, 2023
Busy two days in DC on a last minute decision to push for our RECA legislation! Bottom line…we deserve it and everyone knows we have been harmed. Your stories and phone calls are moving the needle. The problem is it is EXPENSIVE…and this is something that is up to our elected officials (we met with them all)! Currently negotiations are happening and we will update as soon as we know anything! The best thing you can do at this exact moment is PRAY! Make your phone calls tomorrow as soon as you wake up!
Love – the Moms – Karen & Dawn
Message from the Moms – November 28, 2023
We just left the Senate and a massive press conference with Senator Josh Hawley. We also saw Senator Lujan and were able to talk with him about how to move things. We have several important meetings this afternoon and tomorrow as we fight with everything we have for this legislation.
Please continue to call and pray!
Speaker Mike Johnson 202-225-400
And
Leader Mitch McConnell 202–224-2541 Ask them to please keep RECA and Senator Josh Hawley’s amendment in the NDAA.
November 28, 2023 – Just Moms STL in Washington, D.C.
It’s 530am….the Moms are off to DC to shake some trees.
Please continue to call
Speaker Mike Johnson 202-225-400
And
202–224-2541
Ask them to please keep RECA and Senator Josh Hawley’s amendment in the NDAA
Message from the Moms – November 22, 2023
**Evening Update on RECA**
We just heard from Senator Josh Hawley’s office. The message is we don’t have an update. It’s now past 5pm on the East Coast so likely no news tonight.
It’s solely up to Schumer, Leader McConnell , Speaker Johnson, and Jeffries now. They want to finish next week…so stand by for another call to action possibly Monday.
Thank you for all your calls! We can’t stress how important these are and how much one call matters! Please try and have a blessed Holiday…we have a lot to be thankful for in this cause! All this work for a decade + is paying off. The coalitions we have built across the Country are fighting and making calls with us!
Love and Blessings- the Moms – Karen & Dawn
Message from the Moms – November 13, 2023
Great news! We have had more movement on RECA and moving members who were opposed, so for right now you all can take a week off from making calls. We have spoken with Senator Josh Hawley’s office and others and all your phone calls have and are moving people! Right now our legislation just needs to go through the assigned process. Please stand by and we will post the moment we hear of anything that we need to do! We already have the Missouri Conferees including Rep. Smith on board so no need to call them anymore unless something changes. We are hopeful that once the Senate appoints its conferees, Senator Eric Schmitt will be one of them! While we know the NDAA will be a focus in the next coming weeks, we need to remove obstacles as they come up, but also be careful NOT to create them. Please watch this page closely as updates will hopefully be happening more frequently as we move RECA closer to the finish line. This is a great time to remind everyone that your phone calls and e-mails work!!
Love you all,
The Moms – Karen & Dawn
RECA Legislation update – November 8, 2023
Live Stream – Karen and Dawn (Just Moms STL) discuss current status of RECA
Link to Livestream
July 11, 2023
The report and documents will be released on this page at 6am tomorrow morning. If you don’t already, you should absolutely follow the Missouri Independent, who has spent over a year bringing in a team and painstakingly going over these documents. It’s going to be a hard day for those who have been impacted by the Department of Energy’s radioactive waste in this region! We also want to make sure you all know that these documents discuss ALL impacted sites including Downtown Mallickrodt, Cold Water Creek and North County Sites, West Lake Landfill, Weldon Spring, and vicinity properties. Thank you Alison Kite and Muck Rock for reading through 15,000 pages. Thank you Russell Kinsaul for taking the time today. Also…thank you to the amazing Kay Drey and Rebecca Wright for printing these documents out for us and putting them in binders so we could read them from beginning to end and get them out to the public. – Just Moms STL
EPA: Radioactive contamination at West Lake landfill is more widespread
‘Atomic Fallout’: Records reveal government downplayed, ignored health risks of St. Louis radioactive waste for decades
Government documents expected to raise new concerns about radioactive waste
July 27, 2023
The amendment to include us in RECA has passed and been added to the National Defense bill. Once the Defense bill passes in the Senate, it will go back to the House conference/committee where they will hopefully accept the amendments (changes). We’re one step closer. Once we learn who those House members are, we’ll be asking for everyone’s help to make calls asking they accept Hawley’s amendment. For now, celebrate this huge moment. Christen Commuso – July 27, 2023
July 29, 2023 – Radiation Exposure Compensation Act -RECA
Hi everyone, Here’s a graphic that describes the key takeaways from the amendment to add us to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. To reiterate, we still have to make sure it passes through the House of Representatives. Once we know which Reps sit on the committee, we will share a call to action. Please stay tuned.
READ FULL AMENDMENT TEXT HERE: https://www.congress.gov/…/senate-amendment/1058/text
Graphic Design by Christen Commuso – Nov. 2023
