Urgent Pleas for Action as Nuclear Radiation Compensation Program Nears Expiry

In a pressing call to action, individuals in New Mexico impacted by nuclear radiation are appealing to federal lawmakers, including Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez, to prevent the expiration of a critical compensation program. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), a lifeline for those affected by nuclear radiation, is on the brink of expiring on June 10. Amid this looming deadline, efforts to push a bill through the House that would extend and expand the program have come to a standstill.

Leading the charge for the program’s extension is Tina Cordova, an advocate whose voice has become synonymous with the fight for justice for downwinders—individuals impacted by radiation exposure from nuclear testing, starting with the 1945 Trinity Nuclear Test. Cordova and others have tirelessly campaigned for the broadening of RECA to include more individuals suffering from radiation exposure’s lasting effects. However, despite their activism and the critical nature of the deadline, legislative action has been frustratingly slow.

The consequences of inaction are far-reaching, impacting downwinders from various backgrounds and walks of life. Advocates are steadfast in their commitment, vowing to persevere in their pursuit of compensation. The struggle is not just for recognition but for essential support for the affected individuals who have faced the aftermath of exposure for decades. As the expiration date draws near, the urgency for lawmakers to act has never been more pronounced.