U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), along with U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) and James Moylan (R-GU), have reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at bolstering the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). The legislation seeks to provide compensation to individuals who were exposed to radiation while working in uranium mines or residing near atomic weapons test sites according to a press release on July 6, 2023.
"Last year’s victory to extend RECA showed the bipartisan support behind this effort. Now it’s time to build on that momentum and continue our movement for justice and compensation for New Mexico’s downwinders and uranium workers" Luján said in a press release.
In a successful effort last year, Luján and Crapo, along with Fernández, secured a two-year extension for the RECA program, granting individuals more time to apply for the compensation they rightfully deserve, as the program was initially scheduled to sunset in July according to a press release.
According to the press release, Luján said, “Through no fault of their own, these workers and nearby communities were exposed to radiation as part of our national defense effort, impacting generations to come without providing the same relief available to other communities included under RECA. That’s why I’m reintroducing bipartisan legislation to strengthen and expand RECA to do right by all of those who sacrificed in service of our national security.”
Luján's co-introducers also chimed in.
“Last year, Senator Luján and I championed and passed legislation to extend the RECA program for two years,” Crapo said in the press release. “While the extension was critical to providing compensation downwinders rightfully deserve, we can do more to help the Idahoans and Americans who have suffered the health consequences of exposure to fallout from nuclear weapons testing.”
“Imagine having radioactive waste fall down like dirty snow on your homes and communities causing cancer and disease. Then think about the despair when you learn that the US government compensated other communities exposed to radiation during the nuclear testing program but not yours,” said Fernández. “Our bipartisan RECA Amendments of 2023 updates RECA so that it compensates everyone including New Mexicans who suffered this terrible injustice. That includes post ’71 uranium miners and downwinders who’ve been calling out for help for too long. It will also extend the program so it does not expire in July 2024. We must pass this bill and get people the compensation they deserve.”
“I thank my colleagues, Congresswoman Leger Fernandez, and Senator Ben Ray Luján for their work on this issue. Ensuring that those who have been affected by radiation exposure are properly compensated is of the utmost importance, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and help ease the pains of those who have been exposed to toxic levels of radiation,” said Moylan.
