Congresswoman Lee Calls for Extension and Expansion of Radiation Exposure Compensation Act for Suffering Nevadans
Joined by Nevada Downwinder and Radiation Exposure Expert
Above: Congresswoman Lee at the Atomic Museum
Watch video from the press conference here
LAS VEGAS – TODAY, at the Atomic Museum, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) sounded the alarm on the recently-expired Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and called on Speaker Mike Johnson to let the House vote to extend the program and expand its coverage for thousands of downwinders, including in southern Nevada. Lee was joined by Nevada downwinder Linda Chase who contracted autoimmune disease from radiation exposure in Las Vegas during nuclear testing, principal investigator in the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) and the Nevada Test Site Screening Program Dr. Laura Shaw, and CEO of the National Atomic Testing Museum Rob McCoy.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 11,000 to 212,000 cases of thyroid cancer across the country are linked to exposure to radioactive fallout from these nuclear tests in Nevada. The nuclear tests from 1945 and 1992 have caused more cancers and chronic radiation-related illnesses than doctors are able to count.
RECA expired on June 7, but June 10 is the last day to submit new claims for compensation for those who qualify for coverage. RECA does not currently cover all of Nevada, but the Senate passed bipartisan legislation in a 69-30 vote to extend the program and expand compensation for hundreds of thousands more radiation victims. Speaker Johnson has refused to bring this bill for a vote in the House.
In April, Lee joined 30 Republicans and Democrats to call on House leadership to pass the Senate-passed bipartisan legislation that would ensure funding for radiation victims doesn’t expire and expand eligibility for compensation. Lee also cosponsored an amendment in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act to extend RECA and expand compensation and coverage for all Nevadans.
The Senate-passed version of RECA would:
- Expand eligibility to those downwind of the New Mexico Trinity Site and the Nevada Test Site.
- Expand eligibility to Nevadans in Clark County and double compensation for downwinders to $100,000.
- Expand compensation to an estimated 600,000 additional people who need treatment for radiation exposure.
“Nevada has a long nuclear history that still lingers with thousands of ‘downwinders.’ Sadly, many Washington lawmakers have forgotten that there are still families here suffering from radiation exposure. I have not forgotten,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was a much-needed program to get radiation victims the help they need. Speaker Johnson must allow the House to vote on bipartisan Senate-passed legislation to extend this program and expand eligibility for thousands of downwinders in Nevada and across the country who are sick and dying before our eyes.”
“We lived only 70 miles from the test site. We lived in Clark County, which was not one of the 22 counties covered by RECA. I guess they figured the radiation came to the county line, then went around it,” said Nevada downwinder Linda Chase. “The message was clear to me and to all of the residents of Clark County and other excluded areas: your sacrifice does not count; you do not matter [...] It’s not too late to do the right thing and pass the RECA expansion bill.”
“Many of the patients we see are very ill and have personal and extensive family histories of cancer. Just last week, we screened a mom, daughter, and aunt, all with cancer. It’s heartbreaking to hear these stories and we want to help in any way we can,” said Dr. Laura Shaw in her remarks, speaking about the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) and the Nevada Test Site Screening Program. “According to the National Cancer Institute, the average cost of cancer is $150,000 per cancer. And RECA currently awards $50,000 for downwinders, $75,000 for on-site participants, and $100,000 for uranium miners. So, we see that, again, this compensation and these services are needed.”
Below: Linda Chase, a downwinder from Nevada
Below: Dr. Laura Shaw, a principal investigator in the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) and the Nevada Test Site Screening Program who screens downwinders in Nevada
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