Press Release: Advocates Call for Expansion of Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. — Survivors of radiation exposure, alongside advocates, gathered on Tuesday to urge Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to a vote in the House of Representatives. The bill, which recently passed the Senate with bipartisan support, aims to extend compensation to downwinders in New Mexico and those who worked in uranium mining and milling post-1971.
Notably, Native American advocates from New Mexico traveled long distances to attend the press conference, many having recently undergone cancer treatment. Their emotional testimonies highlighted the urgent need for legislative action on RECA, which expired in June. Senator Ben Ray Luján criticized Johnson’s inaction, emphasizing the bipartisan support for the bill.
“It’s about justice for the downwinders and miners,” Luján stated, highlighting the injustices faced by affected communities over the decades.
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández echoed these sentiments, stating that passing the bill would honor the sacrifices made by these communities for national security. The adverse health consequences linked to radiation exposure, including complex illnesses, were underlined as survivors shared personal stories of pain and loss.
Carol Etcitty-Roger, a descendant of a uranium miner, detailed her family’s struggle with cancer, emphasizing the long-lasting impact of radiation exposure. Similarly, Phil Harrison, a former miner, recounted his health battles stemming from his work.
Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri pointed out that the need for RECA expansion extends beyond current findings, as the government’s nuclear program has proven to affect broader communities than previously acknowledged.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren reinforced the call for justice, advocating for recognition and support for those who worked in hazardous conditions without knowledge of the risks involved.
With President Biden indicating support for the legislation, advocates remain hopeful for swift action in the House, aiming for restitution for those harmed by the nation’s nuclear history.
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