In a letter to the Senate, New Mexico Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-Santa Fe), Martin Heinrich (D-Albuquerque) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) urge leadership to strengthen the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which is intended to compensate those harmed by radiation exposure during the Cold War.
Lujan tweeted Sept. 24, sharing images of the letter sent to Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Chairman Dick Durbin.
"After introducing legislation this week to strengthen RECA, I’m leading a letter with @MartinHeinrich and @SenMarkKelly to urge Senate Leadership to include this legislation in budget reconciliation or other packages," Lujan wrote in his tweet. "It's time for the U.S. to do the right thing."
According to that letter, the U.S. conducted 210 above ground nuclear weapon tests between 1945 and 1992. These tests released harmful radioactive materials into the atmosphere, causing many living near the test sites to suffer long-lasting health effects.
At the same time, between 1949 and 1989, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico had 4,000 mines that produced more than 225 millions tons of uranium ore, the letter states. When RECA was passed in 1990, a one-time payment was offered to individuals who suffered health risks from radiation, though the requirements failed to recognize the fallout was not restricted by state lines.
By passing the RECA amendment, the senators hope to bring "justice, recognition and compensation for those brave Americans that put their health and safety on the lines for national security," the letter states.
