Congresswoman Cori Bush is Committed to Cleaning Up Coldwater Creek and Saving Lives
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Cori Bush’s (MO-01) amendment to H.R. 3684 – the INVEST in America Act. The amendment would require the EPA Administrator to undertake a review of current and ongoing efforts to remediate radiological contamination at Coldwater Creek in North St. Louis County, MO and to post public signage to both prevent and mitigate exposure risks for residents in the surrounding areas. The Congresswoman worked with activists, community members, and organizations, including Just Moms STL, to introduce the amendment. Last night, the Congresswoman spoke on the House Floor in support of the legislation.
WATCH: CONGRESSWOMAN CORI BUSH ON THE HOUSE FLOOR
“Radioactive waste in Coldwater Creek has caused a level of devastation that would be unfathomable if it weren’t our reality,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “Our communities have seen hundreds of our neighbors sickened with rare cancers. Animals, birds, and insects have dropped dead in our neighborhoods. For decades, the Department of Energy has been too slow to protect our lives and livelihoods. Today, we’re one step closer to changing that. Through our amendment, the EPA administrator would be required to review current and ongoing efforts to remediate the radiological contamination at Coldwater Creek and post public signage to both prevent and mitigate risks for residents in our communities. We’ve waited for change in North St. Louis County for too long. There is no overstating it: if this legislation is passed by the Senate and becomes law, lives in St. Louis will be saved.”
"I have fought and waited eight years for today,” said Karen Nickel, Co-Founder, Just Moms STL. “This creek has been allowed to poison and devastate myself, friends, family and much of the St. Louis region for over half of a century. We are so grateful and thankful that our Congresswoman not only recognized what we have been saying for years but stood up and shared her own personal story and connection to the creek.
“St. Louis is done sitting back and allowing these agencies to drag their feet while we continue to be exposed and get poisoned. Accountability starts right here and right now."
To watch and download the Congresswoman’s remarks, click HERE.
The full text of the amendment can be found, HERE.
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Congresswoman Cori Bush represents Missouri’s First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. She is also a Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a proud member of the Congressional Black Caucus. She is a registered nurse, a single mother, and an ordained pastor. Following the murder of Michael Brown Jr. by a now-terminated Ferguson police officer, she became a civil rights activist and community organizer fighting for justice for Black lives on the streets of Missouri and across the country.