Luján, Heinrich part of group reintroducing Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
A bipartisan attempt last year to renew the previous Radiation Exposure and Compensation Act — which applied only to parts of Arizona, Nevada and Utah — also would have extended the benefits to residents of New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Guam. The measure passed the U.S. Senate by a wide margin last year but was never voted on in the House; House Republican leaders cited concerns about the cost of the expansion.
The lack of action in the House allowed RECA to expire in June.
Advocates for New Mexico downwinders, exposed to radiation from the first-ever atomic bomb detonation in July 1945 during the Trinity Test, and former uranium miners slammed House leaders last year for not holding a vote to extend the law.
'It is unacceptable that so many who have gotten sick from radiation exposure have been denied compensation by Congress," Luján said in a statement.
"Despite having passed RECA legislation twice through the Senate with broad bipartisan support, and securing the support of the previous administration, I was disheartened that [House] Speaker [Mike] Johnson refused a vote on RECA to help victims," Luján added.
Along with Heinrich and Luján, both New Mexico Democrats, the bill was reintroduced by U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, and Mark Kelly, D-Arizona.
'The time to reauthorize RECA is now," Hawley said in a statement. "The Senate has done this twice before and must do it again. For far too long, Missourians and others across America have suffered without compensation from their government. It is vital that we unite to pass this legislation now, and that the President sign it into law."
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O'Rourke undecided on if he'll run for Senate seat in 2026
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The Hill
36 minutes ago
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Democrats seek to fight fire with fire on redistricting
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'It's out of my hands, it's not really my choice or my process, but I do think that Democrats need to stop bringing [a] butter knife to a gunfight,' said Rep. Dave Min (D-Calif.), who represents a competitive House seat. 'All of us want to see a fair process, but if Republicans are going to try to cheat and redistrict, I think Democratic states need to consider all options,' he added. Huffman said Democrats in California could 'easily' pick up three or four seats through redistricting — and 'maybe more.' As Newsom plots his next move, some Democrats say other blue states should jump on board. Torres said New York laws would make the process tricky, but he's pushing for it just the same, 'to the extent that we can legally.' 'New York is more complicated because of the state constitution,' he said. 'But if Republicans are going to exhaust every means of building political power, then we should reciprocate.' Asked if New York Gov. 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O'Rourke urges Democrats to fight ‘fire with fire' in redistricting battle
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