Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri is pushing for the Oscars to acknowledge and pay tribute to victims of nuclear testing, following the announcement that the film “Oppenheimer” leads in nominations for the prestigious awards. In a letter addressed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday, Hawley urged the inclusion of programming that sheds light on the individuals affected by nuclear testing in advance of the 2024 Academy Awards.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer” chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who played a pivotal role in the Manhattan Project, leading to the development of the atomic bomb. The project resulted in the construction and deployment of two atomic bombs dropped on Japanese cities, ultimately contributing to the country’s surrender in World War II. With 13 nominations, “Oppenheimer” stands out as a significant contender for this year’s Oscars.
While acknowledging the film’s portrayal of the test programs, Hawley emphasized that it does not capture the full narrative of the Americans left grappling with the enduring health and financial consequences of America’s nuclear research. In his letter, Hawley stated, “The ‘Oppenheimer’ film tells a compelling story of these test programs. But it does not tell the story of the Americans left behind—still reckoning with the health and financial consequences of America’s nuclear research, after all these years.”
Hawley drew attention to individuals in his home state of Missouri and across the nation who suffer from cancer and other medical conditions due to radiation exposure from radioactive waste left uncleared as part of the Manhattan Project. The senator highlighted the pressing issue of the limited compensation offered to victims, a matter that Congress is on the verge of allowing to expire. He urged the Academy to contribute to the cause by sharing the stories of these victims, stating, “These victims deserve justice through fair compensation from their government—and you can help by telling their stories.”
This isn’t the first time Hawley has advocated for those impacted by government-caused nuclear contamination. In December, he called upon his fellow lawmakers to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in the annual defense spending bill for 2024. This legislation is designed to compensate victims of government-caused radiation, particularly in the St. Louis region.
During the Senate’s efforts to pass the defense bill, Hawley created a procedural hurdle and ultimately voted against the legislation when the compensation program was excluded from its final version. The senator’s consistent advocacy reflects his commitment to addressing the longstanding issues faced by individuals affected by nuclear testing fallout.
As “Oppenheimer” continues to dominate Oscar nominations, Hawley’s efforts underscore the importance of recognizing and compensating the victims whose lives have been significantly impacted by the consequences of nuclear testing. The senator’s appeal to the Academy aligns with his broader mission to bring attention to the ongoing challenges faced by individuals dealing with health issues linked to government-initiated nuclear activities.