In a significant bipartisan move, the Senate approved legislation to expand federal compensation for individuals suffering from illnesses due to government-caused nuclear contamination, reflecting a push to amend a decades-old law.
Catie Edmondson reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The legislation proposes up to $40 billion in compensation, extending benefits previously set to expire in June, and broadens eligibility beyond Cold War-era victims.
- Spearheaded by Senators Josh Hawley and Ben Ray Luján, the bill aims to include "downwinders" and those affected in regions previously excluded.
- The bill, supported by the White House, faces uncertainty in the House but emphasizes the government's moral duty to compensate those harmed by nuclear activities.
Key quote:
“This is a moral issue."
— Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri.
Why this matters:
This legislation represents an important step toward rectifying past injustices and underscores the importance of government accountability in public health and environmental stewardship. Read Peter Dykstra's EHS commentary on the U.S. legacy of environmental sacrifice zones.
