Johnson cancels vote on radiation exposure bill after uproar from Missouri lawmaker

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delayed plans to renew an expiring radiation compensation program after Missouri lawmakers objected to the bill excluding residents in their state.

Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), in coordination with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) in the Senate, has led the Missouri delegation in pressing the speaker to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to additional states where the U.S. government tested nuclear weapons or mishandled waste. Hawley’s bill, which reauthorizes the program for another five years, passed the Senate in March.

Missouri lawmakers expressed their disappointment on Wednesday after Johnson decided to hold a vote on a “clean” two-year reauthorization next week, citing his opposition to the expansion’s $50 billion price tag. However, Johnson decided later that day to cancel the vote following further conversations with Wagner.

“After consulting with Congresswoman Wagner, the Majority Leader and Speaker have decided not to bring the proposed RECA reauthorization to the floor next week,” a spokesperson for the speaker told the Washington Examiner.

Johnson’s office did not lay out a path forward for the program, which expires on June 7. But behind the scenes, Wagner presented Johnson with a proposal to offset the price tag of the legislation, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The tactic follows Hawley’s attempts to win over Republican support. He originally proposed a $150 billion bill but winnowed that amount by $100 billion in negotiations with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Wagner has ramped up efforts to soften Johnson’s resistance ahead of the program’s expiration. Two weeks ago, she hosted a meeting with advocates attended by staff from the speaker’s office.

“It’s great news for MO that House leadership listened to my concerns & those of my constituents & pulled the Floor vote on this misguided proposal,” Warner said in a post on X. “We’re going to keep fighting for expansion of RECA so Missourians impacted by radiation get the support & compensation they deserve.”

Meanwhile, Hawley has made a very public display of his disagreement with Johnson. He pledged to oppose every procedural step if the two-year House bill, supported by members of the Utah delegation, is brought up for a vote in the Senate.

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“There is a RECA bill passed with nearly 70 votes by the Senate sitting in the House waiting for action,” Hawley said on X. “It’s the only viable option now. Pass it, Speaker Johnson!”

His version of the bill, which passed by a 69-30 margin, would expand RECA coverage to Missouri but also states such as New Mexico, Alaska, and Kentucky.