This action is sponsored by the Ploughshares Fund.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is a historic, bipartisan fund that compensates certain atomic veterans, uranium miners, and downwinders with radiation-related illnesses. Congress recently passed a limited, two-year RECA extension. Unfortunately, this stopgap measure does not add eligibility for unjustly excluded victims of U.S. nuclear testing and production, some of whom have waited 77 years for recognition. So many have watched loved ones pass away while fighting to be included in RECA, and many are still desperately in need of this support.

From 1945 to 1962, the United States government conducted hundreds of above-ground nuclear weapons tests on American soil. Uranium mining also increased during the 1940s-70s to develop America’s nuclear arsenal. As a result, countless individuals living near nuclear test sites, working in the uranium industry, and serving in the military were exposed to deadly radiation. Despite numerous studies linking radiation exposure to illness, the U.S. government did not communicate these risks to uranium workers, downwind civilians, and service members.

The RECA Amendments of 2021 (H.R. 5338/S. 2798) would extend RECA by 19 years and expand coverage to frontline communities that have been unjustly excluded. Urge your senators and representatives to co-sponsor RECA to expand and extend restitution for the communities harmed by U.S. nuclear weapons activities.