U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced that he will go to the Senate floor tomorrow to request unanimous consent on his bill, the Justice for Jana Elementary Act of 2023, requiring the federal cleanup of Jana Elementary school as well as the testing of the surrounding buildings in the Hazelwood School District. This comes as Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives this week.
Tomorrow I will again go to the Senate floor to demand justice for the students of Jana Elementary. My bill would order a federal cleanup. That’s what they deserve. Let’s see if someone tries to object and deny these kids justice https://t.co/q0KvmVp5JA
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) April 25, 2023
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 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 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.