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U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), and Delegate James Moylan (R-Guam) and RECA advocates for a press conference calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to allow a vote on a bill that would strengthen the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).
As of May 16, the House will have just two weeks remaining to act on the Senate-passed RECA. The program, which provides health screenings and compensation for people sickened by U.S. nuclear weapons, expires June 7. As passed by the Senate, this legislation would expand the program to cover people who have been erroneously excluded, increase compensation provided to those harmed, and extend the program for six years. Last month, Luján led a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately act to pass the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act.
Press conference in full available HERE.
"Last month, the Senate sent a resounding bipartisan message that RECA must be extended and strengthened to compensate victims who suffered in the name of national security. Every member of Congress owes a debt for the sacrifices made by those impacted by nuclear fallout, including Speaker Mike Johnson, and should act now so RECA does not expire,” said Senator Luján. “Victims of radiation exposure have suffered for too long without compensation. The House must act now to ensure these victims receive the compensation they are owed, and I'll never stop fighting to right this wrong."
Background:
In March, the Senate voted 69-30 to extend and expand RECA. Since being elected to Congress, Senator Luján has played the leading role in advancing legislation to strengthen the RECA program. Last year, Senator Luján led a bipartisan coalition of Senators to pass RECA as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – the most significant Congressional action in decades to strengthen the program. Republican leadership ultimately blocked its inclusion in the final NDAA bill despite bipartisan support. Senator Luján has introduced RECA legislation in every Congress since being elected in 2008.
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