Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Left Out of House Budget Proposal
The recent decision by the U.S. House of Representatives to exclude compensation for radiation exposure victims from its budget proposal has left many advocates disappointed. The program, which expired in June, was expected to be renewed by Congress before the year ends.
Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley disclosed on Tuesday that the House Speaker Mike Johnson had removed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) from a government funding bill. This move followed a compromise bill crafted by Hawley along with outgoing Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Utah Sen. Mike Lee. However, the bill was not included in the House’s continuing resolution, which faces a deadline on Friday, casting doubt on the future of RECA.
Despite having bipartisan support, RECA has faced scrutiny from some Republicans over its potential costs. Earlier in the year, the Senate had approved a renewal and expansion of the program, but the House leadership did not permit a vote, resulting in its expiration.
Last week, there was a proposal by some House Republicans for a version of RECA that would apply only to Utah. This was met with strong opposition from Hawley, who indicated he would block any continuing resolution that included only a partial program.
RECA provides financial compensation to individuals affected by cancer and other diseases due to Cold War-era nuclear tests, including uranium industry workers and downwinders in the Western United States.
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