Senators Josh Hawley and Ben Ray Luján have reintroduced a bill to extend and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which compensates individuals harmed by nuclear testing and uranium mining.
Zack Budryk reports for The Hill.
In short:
- RECA, originally passed 30 years ago, authorized payments to those affected by nuclear testing and uranium-related activities, but its authorization expired last summer.
- The new bill, co-sponsored by senators from both parties, aims to expand compensation eligibility to additional states and extend the program’s timeline.
- A previous version of the bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House due to cost concerns and lack of Republican support.
Key quote:
“For far too long, Missourians and others across America have suffered without compensation from their government. It is vital that we unite to pass this legislation now, and that the President sign it into law.”
— Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.
Why this matters:
For decades, thousands of people — many from rural and Indigenous communities — have lived with the painful legacy of radiation exposure linked to nuclear weapons testing and uranium mining. These individuals, often referred to as "downwinders," were exposed to harmful radiation fallout, leading to a host of health issues including cancer, respiratory diseases and other chronic conditions. Despite the clear connection to these activities, many victims have yet to receive compensation or formal acknowledgment of their suffering.
