RECA

Nearly 80 years after the Trinity Test, the first nuclear test that was the focus of the film Oppenheimer, Congress has finally passed the largest expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in history.

It’s been one year since the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) expired. For the communities most affected by the U.S. government’s nuclear weapons program, every day without it is a day without justice. 

They marched to the Capitol in the rain. Many held signs. Some pushed loved ones in wheelchairs. Others carried photos of those they’ve lost. All of them carried pain caused by radiation exposure.

In a bipartisan vote on June 13, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (H.R. 7227) passed the House Education and Workforce Committee 34 to 4. This is a major win for Native American communities, survivors, and their descendants, who were terrorized by these policies for decades. The bill now needs to be approved by two other committees for a floor vote.

In a bipartisan vote on June 13, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (H.R. 7227) passed the House Education and Workforce Committee 34 to 4. This is a major win for Native American communities, survivors, and their descendants, who were terrorized by these policies for decades. The bill now needs to be approved by two other committees for a floor vote.

In a bipartisan vote on June 13, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (H.R. 7227) passed the House Education and Workforce Committee 34 to 4. This is a major win for Native American communities, survivors, and their descendants, who were terrorized by these policies for decades. The bill now needs to be approved by two other committees for a floor vote.

Fifteen interfaith groups joined in a letter to members of Congress to urge them to support and expedite the passage of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act.

FCNL is deeply disappointed over Congress’ decision to omit a critical provision providing compensation to victims of nuclear weapons testing and production from the FY24 (NDAA).

This program provides lifesaving benefits to Americans who, since 1945, have suffered directly from the expansion of the U.S nuclear weapons industry.

While FCNL celebrated the Senate passage of the RECA expansion amendment, more advocacy is needed to ensure that it’s included in the final version of the NDAA.