The measure still faces a vote in the House; Biden has signaled his support
The U.S. Senate voted to expand eligibility and extend the life of a fund for people exposed to radiation by the federal government — including New Mexicans harmed by the first-ever nuclear test at Trinity.
In a 69-30 vote, the Senate passed S. 3853, which funds the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act — called RECA — past its June sunset date for another six years.
What does S. 3853 do?
Downwinders: The bill would allow RECA to cover people in Idaho, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and Guam, and includes all of Nevada, Arizona and Utah, instead of just certain counties. It specifically acknowledges Trinity Test and Guam downwinders for the first time.
Uranium miners: The measure would extend the time frame for eligible uranium workers through 1990 instead of cutting it off at 1971. It compensates those who mined, milled or transported ore in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon and Texas.
More conditions: The bill would cover new cancers, and it would also allow chronic kidney illness as a qualifying disease for uranium workers.
Waste disposal: Communities harmed by Manhattan Project waste or waste from other tests deposited in certain areas of Missouri, Alaska, Tennessee and Kentucky could receive compensation up to $25,000 under the bill.
Better compensation: Accounting for inflation, the measure increases lump-sum compensation to $100,000 for downwinders and on-site participants — up from the $50,000 and $75,000. If signed, the bill would allow previous claimants to submit new claims to make up the difference.
Read the full article here: https://sourcenm.com/2024/03/07/reca-expansion-passes-u-s-senate/ | 
