This afternoon the United States Senate passed U.S. Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) bill, the Justice for Jana Elementary Act mandating the clean up of Jana Elementary School and radioactive waste testing to be performed at the surrounding buildings in the Hazelwood School District.
I am delighted to say the Senate just approved my bill to order a federal cleanup at Jana Elementary. Big step forward in getting justice for these kids
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) April 26, 2023
“The federal government caused this problem, and the federal government should fix this problem. […] This community in St. Louis has been asked to live with the fallout of the federal government’s actions for decades. […] Today we are going to get justice for these kids, and we’re going to start the cleanup process that should have happened decades ago,” said Senator Hawley.
Watch the full speech here or by clicking above.
BACKGROUND:
Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the students and families of the Hazelwood School District. Most recently, Senator Hawley secured Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s support for the bill, after questioning her in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing last week.
This week Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Last month, Senator Hawley delivered remarks and attempted to unanimously pass his legislation to clean up Jana Elementary School and test the surrounding buildings in the Hazelwood School District, but it was blocked.
In early March, Senator Hawley called out the Biden Administration for its lack of action on the Jana Elementary School cleanup, and pledged to hold all nominees to positions at the DOE until the issue is resolved.
In February, Senator Hawley introduced the Justice for Jana Elementary Act of 2023 following an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing where he pushed the DOE for answers on the radioactive waste found at the school.
In January, Senator Hawley and Representative Bush sent a letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon calling for additional radioactive testing of Hazelwood School District’s properties.
Last October, Senator Hawley demanded that USACE conduct radioactive testing at Jana Elementary School following reports of contamination, and called on President Biden to declare a federal emergency and make aid available for students and families.