Fact check: Video shows questions about Missouri school radiation, not threat of jail time
The claim: Video shows Sen. Josh Hawley threatening 'Biden's aide' with jail time
An April 28 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) shows a clip of Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, and Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat, questioning Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
"'THERE IS NO CLEAN UP' Josh Hawley sends SH0CKWAVE accross (sic) the room with JAILTIME for Biden's aide," reads the video's caption.
The video was shared more than 200 times in a week.
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Our rating: False
The video shows Hawley questioning Granholm about the government's response to reports of radioactive waste contamination at a Missouri elementary school. He does not mention "jail time" for anyone.
Hawley questions Granholm about response to school contamination, no threats of 'jail time'
Jana Elementary School in Florissant, Missouri, was closed after a private study reported radioactive contamination on the premises. Two follow-up studies reported no harmful levels of radioactive material, according to the Associated Press.
The school is located within the flood plain of a creek contaminated decades ago by radioactive waste associated with the development of nuclear weapons. The Army Corp of Engineers has until 2038 to clean up the contamination, which has been linked to an increased risk for certain types of cancer.
The exchange between Hawley and Granholm took place April 20 at a Senate committee hearing for the Department of Energy's 2024 budget request.
After Hawley's questions were completed, Hickenlooper questioned Granholm about electric vehicle infrastructure.
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USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Our fact-check sources:
C-SPAN, April 20, Department of Energy Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request
ABC News, April 4, How a school shutdown resurrected concerns over nuclear contamination in North Saint Louis
NPR, Oct. 17, 2022, Radioactive waste found at Missouri elementary school
CBS News, Aug. 7, 2018, CBS MORNINGS Federal health officials agree radioactive waste in St. Louis area may be linked to cancer
St. Louis Public Radio, June 18, 2018, Radioactive waste in Coldwater Creek increases cancer risk, says federal report
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Sept. 22. 2014, Analysis of cancer incidence data in eight ZIP code areas around Coldwater Creek, 1996-2011
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, April 30, 2019, ATSDR releases final Coldwater Creek report
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Hawley asks about school in video, no jail time threat
