June 06, 2024

Bush, Moylan, Colleagues Introduce RECA Extension and Expansion Amendment to NDAA

Washington, D.C. (June 6, 2024) —Yesterday, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) joined U.S. Congressman Moylan (GU-00) and to introduce a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which would extend and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include Missouri and other parts of the country that were previously left out.

"The vestiges of World War II continues to kill people in my district and beyond, specifically the toxic radioactive waste dumped in our communities by the Manhattan Project. Today, the House failed to bring forward any extension or expansion of this vital program that compensates the victims of radioactive waste,” said Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01).“This is a failure of Speaker Johnson and the Republican majority in the House. In the absence of a vote on the senate-passed bill, I am proud to support this amendment to the NDAA that would extend and expand RECA. It prioritizes helping victims of war, rather than fueling it.”

“Delaying compensation for radiation exposure has severe consequences for those affected. It not only prolongs the suffering and financial burden of individuals and their families, but it also perpetuates the injustice and neglect towards the victims. Furthermore, the delay undermines trust in the government's commitment to righting past wrongs and providing justice for all citizens. Ensuring that those who have been affected by radiation exposure are properly compensated is of the utmost importance and I'm working with various offices across the aisle to request that leadership prioritize the vote on the expansion bill for the RECA and push for its passage. If not, at least support the efforts through the amendment in the NDAA. We will continue this fight until the job gets done” said Rep. James Moylan (GU-00). 

A copy of the amendment can be found HERE.

This amendment was also co-sponsored by Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), and Dina Titus (NV-01).

“With RECA expiring this weekend, we urge House Republican Leadership to allow members to vote on our bipartisan NDAA amendment to extend and expand the program,” said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “A coalition of members from Guam to New Mexico, from Arizona to Missouri, stand united in asking the Speaker to let us vote to compensate our communities for the harm they’ve suffered before any more victims die. The time for justice is now.” 

“This important amendment will help Missourians and others impacted by our nation’s World War II nuclear program get the support and compensation they justly deserve. I urge its consideration on the Floor” said Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02). 

“For decades, too many New Mexicans have suffered the effects of radiation exposure from testing and uranium mining and have been denied the justice they rightfully deserve. I'm proud to offer an amendment with Rep. Moylan to extend and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to ensure that New Mexicans receive their overdue compensation,” said Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02). “This is a harm done by the federal government, that should be fixed by the federal government. I will continue to fight to pass this critical legislation and provide much-needed relief to all those who have faced, and continue to face, the consequences of our nation’s nuclear weapons program.”

“With RECA just days away from expiring, it is critical that Congress takes action to expand this program for the thousands of radiation-exposed Arizonans who still do not have access to the benefits they are owed. I am proud to support this amendment to do just that,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03).

“The Radiation Exposure Compensation Program is an essential resource for the tens of thousands of service members, scientists, uranium workers, and downwind civilians who have developed cancers linked to our nation’s nuclear testing program. While these tests took place primarily in Nevada, RECA payments have been made to individuals in every state and territory. The extension of this program is the least we can do to compensate those Cold Warriors whose sacrifices ensured our national security“ said Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01). 

Also included in the expansion legislation are compensation for those impacted by the dumping of Manhattan Project waste in Missouri, Guam, Tennessee, Alaska, and Kentucky. The fallout from these tests infected many people in these jurisdictions who now have serious illnesses, rare cancers, and other forms of diseases as a result. They are faced with rising medical bills, as a result of careless actions of the federal government. Sadly, many continue to suffer through the pain of chemotherapy and other complications, while others have also passed away over the years. As of now, there is still uncertainty surrounding S. 3853.  Yesterday, Speaker Johnson sent the House home, allowing RECA to lapse without expansion. 

Congresswoman Bush has been a longtime champion for the cleanup of Manhattan Project waste. Examples of some of the many actions and legislative measures that Congresswoman Bush has put forward include:

  • In May 2024, Congresswoman Bush requested an urgent meeting with Speaker Johnson to further push for immediate action on RECA before it expires.  She also sent a letter to every single one of her colleagues urging them to support RECA.
  • In May 2024, Congresswoman Bush joined Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and colleagues in a bicameral letterurging House Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately act to pass RECA.
  • In April 2024, Congresswoman Bush joined advocates and impacted community members to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to take immediate action on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
  • In March 2024, Congresswoman Bush delivered a speech on the House Floor on the Exclusion of RECA from the spending bill.
  • In October 2023, Congresswoman Bush leveraged her position on the House Oversight Committee to secure a Government Accountability Office report detailing the effects of Manhattan Project waste in St. Louis.
    • In June 2022, initiated a federal review with the Government Accountability Office for the cleanup of radioactive contamination of Coldwater Creek in St. Louis County.
  • In August 2023, Congresswoman Bush met one-on-one with Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm at the Weldon Spring Site Interpretative Center to discuss radioactive waste across St. Louis left decades ago by the Manhattan Project.
  • In April 2023, Congresswoman Bush partnered with Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral Justice for Jana Elementary Act of 2023,which would require the cleanup of Jana Elementary School in Florissant, Missouri located in the Congresswoman’s district.
  • In July 2022, Congresswoman Bush secured an amendment through the House-passed appropriations bill that transferred $500,000 to study the impacts of low-level radiation on human health and the environment.
  • In May 2022, Congresswoman Bush introduced the Coldwater Creek Signage Act which would require signage to be posted along Coldwater Creek informing residents of the dangers of radioactive waste exposure.
  • Congresswoman Bush voted in favor of H.R. 3967, the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act or Honoring Our PACT Act, which will finally treat toxic exposure as a cost of war by addressing the full range of issues impacting toxic-exposed veterans, including access to earned benefits and health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Included in the PACT Act’s final text were four of Congresswoman Bush’s amendments:
    • Amendment 32: This amendment would require that veterans who worked or spent time near the Manhattan Project in St. Louis be studied to determine the impacts of toxic exposure on their health. 
    • Amendment 22: This amendment would require the Department of Defense to look back and review all known cases of toxic exposure on their military bases not only here in America, but also abroad. 
    • Amendment 17: This amendment would incorporate race and ethnicity as demographic options in a study on the rate of cancer in veterans. 
    • Amendment 18: This amendment would include a variety of external factors to be considered in a medical study on all veterans serving after September 11, 2001. Those factors include race, age, period of service, military occupation, gender and disability status. 
  • In July 2021, Congresswoman Bush passed an amendment to H.R. 3684 – the INVEST in America Act. The amendment would require the EPA Administrator to undertake a review of current and ongoing efforts to remediate radiological contamination at Coldwater Creek and to post public signage to prevent exposure risks for residents in the surrounding areas. The Congresswoman worked with activists, community members, and organizations including Just Moms STL, to introduce the amendment.

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