Ahead of Critical RECA Vote, Luján Announces New Mexico Downwinder as State of the Union Guest

Tina Cordova is a leading RECA advocate, cancer survivor

Washington, D.C. – Ahead of a Senate vote on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced Tina Cordova, co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, as his guest for President Biden’s State of the Union address.

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.

“Last year, Tina Cordova was with me when President Biden voiced his strong support for passing RECA into law and providing justice for New Mexicans. Generations of New Mexicans, including Tina and her family, have been impacted by the lasting impacts of the Trinity Test. It’s far past time to do right by these families who sacrificed for our national security,” said Luján.   

“Last week, Leaders Schumer and McConnell committed to holding another vote on RECA. I am hopeful that this will pass with a bipartisan coalition of Senators just as it did last year. I’m honored that Tina will join me for President Biden’s State of the Union address and as the Senate prepares to once again vote on RECA,” continued Luján. “Her leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in moving RECA forward, and I am glad to have her in this fight for justice.”

About Tina Cordova:

Tina Cordova is a seventh generation native New Mexican born and raised in the small town of Tularosa in south central New Mexico. In 2005 Tina co-founded the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC) with the late Fred Tyler. Tina is a cancer survivor having been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer when she was 39 years old. Tina has also been a guest lecturer and speaker at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands University, Colorado College, and at events across New Mexico.     

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