RECA extension and expansion await the U.S. House of Representatives April 26, 2024

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, originally signed into law in 1990, is the  law providing compensation to people whose health has been impacted by American nuclear weapons development and testing, including over 200 above-ground nuclear tests from 1945 to 1962. The U.S. Senate voted in July, 2023 and again in March, 2024 to extend RECA for another 19 years and include additional groups of people and geographic areas impacted by nuclear weapons. But the House has taken no action and PSR urges the House to vote to expand RECA prior to June 7, when the existing RECA program expires altogether. By a wide margin, the Senate approved the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act S. 3853, introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and cosponsored by Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Eric Schmitt (R-MO) , Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Krysten Sinema (I-AZ) — but the House must also vote yes before it becomes law. 

The Utah Congressional delegation has stood squarely in the way of progress. On April 18, Utah Senators Mike Lee and Mitt Romney introduced competing legislation, S.4175, to simply extend the existing RECA program for two additional years. PSR strongly favors Senator Hawley’s legislation to greatly expand RECA’s reach and extend the program for 19 more years.  

Our government not only lied to us for decades, but considered us expendable. We have paid and continue to pay an enormous price. A government that knowingly harmed its own citizens has a moral responsibility to take care of those harmed.”

— Mary Dickson, downwinder from Utah.

You can help! Click here to urge your U.S. Representative to vote to expand and extend RECA.

For additional information about RECA, please visit savereca.org.