Still fighting for RECA Despite Setbacks July 25, 2024

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, otherwise known as RECA, expired on June 7^th even though on March 7^th the Senate passed S. 3853 with strong bipartisan support in a 69 to 30 vote. After RECA “sunset” many downwinders and activists called out Speaker Mike Johnson for this unjust and irresponsible mishandling of justice for victims of radiation by not allowing this legislation to come to a vote in the House. Activists are continuing to fight for RECA by calling Speaker Johnson, their local representatives and others to bring RECA back, and revitalize it as was supported in the Senate.

S. 3853 expands coverage as well as extending RECA by 6 years. The expanded act includes; increasing payments to $100,000 for all claimants, extending the period uranium workers are eligible for compensation past 1971, adding chronic lymphocytic leukemia as well as renal disease as compensable diseases, and expanding the number of states eligible for this compensation. 

An expansion rather than just a simple extension of RECA is important as many people were left out of the original RECA coverage. Recent studies have further demonstrated how nuclear testing contamination has spread much farther than previously thought. The first victims of nuclear weapons testing were the Native and Hispanic communities living in the Tularosa Basin surrounding the Trinity test site. Despite being the unknowing victims of the first nuclear weapon detonation, the Trinity downwinders were not included in the original RECA coverage. In March when the expanded Bill was passed in the Senate, Sen. Josh Hawley (Mo.) said this “[t]his is about doing basic justice by the working people of this nation, whom their own government has poisoned.”

Over the past few weeks, our RECA working group has intensified efforts to extend and expand the Act, pushing for House Speaker Mike Johnson to call a vote on the House floor. We encourage all supporters to stay informed and engaged. Visit our action alert to learn more and take action today. Together, we can make a difference for those who were the unknowing victims of nuclear radiation and testing.