The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which compensates uranium workers and some downwinders, has never included those exposed in New Mexico by the Trinity test, nor other downwinders in Idaho and Guam. Now there are two bills working their way through Congress that could change all that.
A coalition of frontline community members has been fighting for this acknowledgement and restitution and have presented a united front to Congress as it relates to the bill language. The members come from Idaho, Utah, Guam, New Mexico and Uranium Miners/Workers from the Navajo Nation, Laguna Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo. The group has found strength in their shared struggle and support each other and their individual needs.
The Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium is providing updates on their website about progress on the bills and whether they have yet been introduced. RECA will sunset exactly one year from now. If it is not amended this year, it is unlikely that the forgotten Downwinders and Uranium Miners will ever be taken care of.
All of us across the country can lobby on behalf of the bills. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle need to understand this is a social justice issue that has to be corrected. The bills will have bipartisan support and this is an issue that affects the constituents of both Democrats and Republicans.
Please check the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium website to learn what you can do. Time is short. Please act now!