Luján, N.M. Congressional Delegation Lead Press Conference Calling For House RECA Vote

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) joined RECA advocates for a press conference calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote on a Senate-passed bill that would strengthen the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). It has been over five months since Senator Luján led a successful bipartisan vote to strengthen the RECA program.

The press conference is available HERE.

RECA, which provides health screenings and compensation for people sickened by the development of U.S. nuclear weapons, expired on June 7. The Senate-passed bill, which Speaker Johnson must bring to the floor for a vote, 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. Senator Luján has championed RECA legislation since his first term in Congress.

“We are fighting for justice – not just for those in New Mexico, but across the country who have been affected by radiation exposure, nuclear weapons testing, and working in uranium mining,” said Senator Luján. “The broad bipartisan support shown in the Senate makes it clear that passing the RECA is a bipartisan priority. That is why I am calling on Speaker Johnson to act now to ensure these victims receive the compensation they are owed.”

“Now that the Senate has passed an extension and long overdue expansion of RECA, Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans must finally take up this critical legislation,” said Senator Heinrich. “It is long overdue for Congress to finally amend RECA to include Tularosa Downwinders, all of the uranium workers exposed to radiation in service to our national defense, and all Americans who were directly impacted by our nation’s nuclear testing program. The federal government has a moral responsibility to correct this injustice.”

“For almost 80 years, Congress has failed to provide justice to members of Navajo Nation, as well as Pueblos and tribes from the southwest region who have suffered for our national security. They cannot wait any longer,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “We stand with communities across the country that still endure the pain, illness, and death caused by this nation’s nuclear program and have limited access to healthcare. This is a recipe for death to which only Congress has the antidote. Speaker Johnson must allow Congress to vote on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act to bring justice to these communities.”

“It’s past time our Tularosa Downwinders get the recognition and compensation they so rightly deserve after the first atomic bomb was dropped on them 79 years ago,” said Congresswoman Stansbury. “Speaker Johnson must put RECA on the floor for a vote. Families across the country have been suffering for generations. Enough is enough.”

“The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act is bipartisan legislation with Democrats and Republicans coming together. But let’s be clear—Speaker Mike Johnson has been absent in leadership and has failed the people of New Mexico. He has left radiation victims neglected and forced to bear the burden of generational illness without a speck of aid or recognition,” said Congressman Vasquez.

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