Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) 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.
“Imagine being a parent and waking up to this headline: ‘Missouri elementary school to close after report finds radioactive contamination.’ […] The school board had no choice, they found radioactive material in their kids' building so they shut down the school,” said Senator Hawley.
He continued, “We can send the message that no matter who you are, no matter where you work, no matter how poor you may be, the United States Senate will get something done for you. We ought to send that message today.”
Senator Hawley has strongly advocated on behalf of the students and families of the Hazelwood School District for months. Most recently, 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 Department of Energy until the issue is resolved.
In February, Senator Hawley introduced the Justice for Jana Elementary Act following an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing where he pushed the Department of Energy for answers on the radioactive waste found near 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.