A program compensating victims of U.S. nuclear activities faces potential expiration in June, amidst bipartisan challenges and budget concerns.
Catie Edmondson reports for The New York Times.
- The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act risks expiration, affecting many victims.
- Bipartisan efforts to renew and expand the program are currently stalled.
- The program has aided more than 55,000 claimants since 1990, with significant payouts.
Key quote:
“The health of the individuals who were unwitting participants in these tests was put at risk to serve the national security interests of the United States. The United States should recognize and assume responsibility for the harm done to these individuals.”
— Statement from the 1990 law enactment.
Why this matters:
This current congressional struggle exemplifies the ongoing struggle to address long-term health impacts of historical government actions and the difficulty of present-day attempts to retroactively right past injustices. It reflects the challenges in balancing fiscal responsibility with moral obligations to affected citizens.
