New RECA bill introduced

August 18, 2026August 19, 2026 News

By Christen Commuso, Policy Specialist

This summer marked the solemn anniversary of several defining moments in the history of the United States’ nuclear weapons program: The Trinity Test in New Mexico, the world’s first above-ground detonation of a nuclear weapon; the largest accidental release of radioactive material in US history at the Church Rock site in New Mexico; Atomic Veterans Day, which honors military personnel who participated in testing and the cleanup of nuclear weapons; and the atomic bombing of the Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Together, these events are all part of a larger legacy that continues to impact our communities.

In Missouri, our connection to this legacy dates back to the very birth of the atomic age. In May 1942, the federal government contracted with St. Louis-based Mallinckrodt Chemical Works (MCW) to purify uranium for use in the world’s first nuclear bombs. Just two months later, the company produced nearly 30 tons of uranium metal and uranium hexafluoride each month in service of the Manhattan Project and subsequent Cold War. In 1957, uranium processing operations were relocated from MCW’s downtown St. Louis facility to its new plant at the Weldon Spring site in St. Charles County, where production continued until 1966. These facilities generated millions of tons of radioactive waste, much of which continues to contaminate soil and groundwater in and around densely populated neighborhoods. 

For ​several decades, MCE has been a leading advocate for addressing the radioactive contamination in the St. Louis region, dating back to our founding member, Mrs. Kay Drey, who was once dubbed the “Paul Revere of the Nuclear Age.”​ Working alongside impacted residents, community organizations, and ​government agencies, ​w​e pushed for the safe cleanup of contaminated sites, greater government accountability, and​ stronger protections for communities affected by ​the contamination. ​In 2022, after receiving records through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, MCE revealed that Manhattan Project-era radioactive contamination was found in the soil of a North St. Louis County elementary school. With renewed public attention and the release of more government documents, MCE collaborated with Missouri’s federal delegation and other impacted communities across the country and the Navajo Nation to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Over the next two years, MCE funded nearly ten trips to Washington, DC so staff and community partners could share our history and stories with elected officials.

In 2025, after years of relentless advocacy, ​Congress took the historical step to expand RECA to include 21 Missouri ZIP codes. This is the first time the federal government acknowledged Missouri’s crucial role in the development of nuclear weapons and the toll it has taken on our lives.

Under current RECA law, eligible Missourians who lived, worked, or went to school in a covered area from January 1, 1949 to present day for at least two years (24 months) and later developed a qualifying cancer may receive either a one-time $50,000 compensation payment or reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses, whichever is greater. Survivors of a deceased spouse or parent are eligible for $25,000. 

While inclusion of some Missouri areas in RECA marked a significant step toward justice, and we are grateful that many are receiving this lifesaving and life-changing support, our work is far from finished. Over the past year, we have identified additional impacted communities and uncovered inconsistencies in how RECA is administered. Most critically, parents are currently ineligible to file claims on behalf of their deceased children and there are unnecessary age restrictions imposed on individuals diagnosed with leukemia. In response, MCE has continued to work closely with members of Congress and our RECA Frontline Community Partners across the county to develop new legislative language that addresses these gaps and strengthens the program. 

Today, we are proud to announce that Congressman Moylan of Guam alongside his bipartisan colleagues in the House has introduced a new RECA bill. The bill builds on last year’s progress to ensure more communities and individuals receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.

For Manhattan Project Waste claims (in Missouri), if passed, this new legislation will: 

• allow parents to file claims on behalf of deceased children
• remove the age restriction on leukemia claims
• expand the program to include the following St. Louis ZIP codes: 63106, 63107, 63112, 63113, 63115, 63120, 63133, 63136, and 63137
• adds the following diseases: renal disease, thyroid disease
• adds the following cancers: rectal, prostate, uterine, cervical, and skin
• increase the compensation for both survivors and deceased individuals to $150,000 and allow previously successful claimants to request the differential payment 
• lower the 2-year exposure requirement to 1-year
• provide funding for at least one Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) Clinic
• extend the program by 15 years
• requires a series of studies related to radiation exposure and related illness of covered individuals and their descendants

Additionally, the bill would add qualifying illnesses and clinics for Downwinders in the Western US, add certain atomic cleanup veterans, and expand geographic eligibility to cover more Downwinder and Manhattan Project waste claims. 

In the weeks and months ahead, we’ll share updates on the legislation and opportunities to take action. Please stay tuned to MCE’s social media (@moenvironment) and sign up for e-alerts. Turning this bill into law will require broad public support, and we hope you’ll stand with us as we continue this effort together. 

You can read the bill here.

An important reminder: the current RECA program is set to expire on December 31, 2027. If you are currently eligible to apply, we strongly encourage you to do so now. Please do not wait to see whether this new bill advances. While we remain hopeful, we cannot guarantee that it will pass, and we do not want you to risk missing your opportunity to apply.