Residents affected by the Trinity Test, the world's first atomic explosion, in New Mexico are holding on to hope for inclusion in a federal compensation bill, even after Senate leaders removed a provision meant to include them.
Russell Contreras reports for Axios.
In short:
- Current federal law provides financial reparations to individuals who lived downwind of nuclear testing sites, but it's set to expire soon if Congress doesn't act.
- Last year's bill aimed to expand its coverage to include New Mexicans and others affected by the Trinity Test.
- Without renewal, excluded victims may never receive compensation for health issues linked to nuclear testing.
Key quote:
"It was immoral that we were taken out of the bill because some (Republican House member) said it cost too much."
— Tina Cordova, co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium.
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