The Exclusion of a Measure to Extend Compensation for People Exposed to Radiation from U.S. Nuclear Testing
This week marked yet another fracture in the Republican conference as the annual defense bill excluded a measure to extend compensation for people exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing. The bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the Senate with a supermajority in August, but was not included in the final version of the bill.
The amendment, sponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), would have provided compensation to individuals who were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing in the 1940s and 1950s. The amendment would have provided a one-time payment of $25,000 to individuals who were exposed to radiation from the tests, as well as an additional $75,000 for those who were diagnosed with cancer or other illnesses related to the radiation exposure.
The exclusion of the amendment from the NDAA is a major setback for those who were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing. For decades, these individuals have been denied compensation for their suffering, and the amendment would have been a major step forward in providing them with the recognition and financial support they deserve.
Despite the exclusion of the amendment from the NDAA, there is still hope for those who were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is a federal program that provides compensation to individuals who were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing. The program has been in place since 1990 and provides a one-time payment of $50,000 to individuals who were exposed to radiation from the tests.
The exclusion of the amendment from the NDAA is a major disappointment, but it is important to remember that there are still options available for those who were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing. The RECA program is still in place and provides a one-time payment of $50,000 to those who were exposed to radiation from the tests.
It is also important to remember that the exclusion of the amendment from the NDAA does not mean that the issue of compensation for those who were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing is dead. The amendment may be reintroduced in the future, and there is still hope that it will eventually pass.
The exclusion of the amendment from the NDAA is a major setback, but it is important to remember that there are still options available for those who were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing. The RECA program is still in place and provides a one-time payment of $50,000 to those who were exposed to radiation from the tests. It is also important to remember that the issue of compensation for those who were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing is not dead, and there is still hope that the amendment will eventually pass.
