Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02) introduced a bill to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) for 2 additional years, with Congressman Burgess Owens as a cosponsor. RECA provides compensation to victims, known as downwinders, who were infected by radiation during the federal government’s aboveground nuclear weapons testing. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is leading the effort in the U.S. Senate with Senator Mitt Romney as a cosponsor (R-UT). 

“Many Utahns were harmed by the federal government’s aboveground testing of nuclear weapons during the early atomic program, and decades later they, along with their families, are still paying a high price. RECA was created as a way for the federal government to partially compensate Americans who have developed certain cancers and diseases as a result of being downwind from nuclear testing and exposed to radiation. Congress cannot let RECA expire in June. That’s why I’m working with Senator Lee to ensure that downwinders continue to be covered,” said Rep. Maloy. 

"When the government harms people, victims should be able to receive compensation. Downwinders and others harmed by the nation's early atomic program often suffer the consequences of exposure decades after the fact. The passage of my RECA extension is a statement saying the United States government is not abandoning these victims and communities," said Senator Lee. 

Background: 

RECA, originally enacted in 1990, establishes lump sum compensation awards for individuals who contracted diseases while participating in atomic weapons testing or living downwind of atomic testing sites between 1951 and 1992. It also extends benefits to uranium miners, mill workers, and ore transporters who were exposed to radiation while working in the uranium industry between 1942 and 1971. 

The program has awarded over $2.5 billion in benefits to more than 39,000 claimants. It is scheduled to sunset on June 10^th, 2024. This bill will reauthorize RECA and ensure that all Americans impacted by atomic weapons testing are eligible for compensation. 

You can read the full text of the legislation here.