Hawley's nuclear benefits amendment left out of defense bill, but supporters see path forward
-
Sen. Josh Hawley threatened to kill the defense spending bill if it didn't expand benefits for people exposed to nuclear waste, but his efforts had little impact on delaying the bipartisan passage of the bill.
-
Hawley held rallies, met with advocates, and drummed up publicity around expanding support for people harmed by nuclear testing, but he was unable to get his amendment included in the final bill.
-
Hawley's amendment was left out of the final bill because there was no cost estimate or plan to pay for it. The bill did include some funding Hawley and others advocated for.
-
Supporters think Hawley's amendment has a better chance of passing on its own with him leading the push in the Senate and Rep. Cori Bush leading in the House.
-
Sen. Eric Schmitt plans to keep trying to find a way to push Hawley's provision through, viewing this as an opportunity to build more support among legislators.