New Mexico Senators Push for Nuke Industry Worker Relief

A bill that would renew federal relief for Americans impacted by nuclear activities throughout the country was passed by the U.S. Senate and now awaits approval from the House of Representatives amid calls it be extended to also provide compensation to New Mexicans exposed to radiation.

The legislation, which would renew the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) by two years to provide cash payments to those exposed while working in or living near nuclear operations, was introduced last year by New Mexico’s two U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan.

Without the bill, the program would end in July.