"A standalone bill to expand and reauthorize a 30-year-old radiation compensation program that passed the Senate with a filibuster-proof majority will not be included in the text of a House appropriations bill.

The upper chamber had previously passed a standalone reauthorization of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), adding several states to its coverage and extending the law, set to expire this summer, a further five years. The bill passed the Senate 69-30 and, last week, bipartisan members of Missouri’s House delegation called on House leadership to include it in an upcoming appropriations bill.

In a statement Thursday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) praised Rep. Ann Wagner’s (R-Mo.) advocacy to include the measure in the must-pass government funding bill but confirmed it would not be included in the text, saying, “I understand her position and I look forward to working closely with Ann as we chart a path together for the House to move forward with evaluating and acting on a reauthorization measure.”"

Zack Budryk reports for The Hill March 21, 2024. [2]