Leger Fernández, Moylan, Luján, Hawley Host Press Conference on RECA Expansion
Washington, D.C. – September 21, 2023 - Today, U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and James Moylan (R-Guam) and U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján, (D-N.M.) Josh Hawley, (R-Mo.) held a press conference with advocates, downwinders, and uranium workers on the extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program. Earlier this year, Senators Luján and Hawley successfully led the U.S. Senate to pass a historic expansion of the RECA program in the National Defense Authorization Act. This press conference celebrated progress and drove support for the RECA legislation. Congresswoman Leger Fernandez discussed the next steps to ensure this expansion of RECA stays in the final National Defense Authorization Act.
September 21, 2023 - Today, U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and James Moylan (R-Guam) and U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján, (D-N.M.) Josh Hawley, (R-Mo.) held a press conference with advocates, downwinders, and uranium workers on the extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program. Earlier this year, Senators Luján and Hawley successfully led the U.S. Senate to pass a historic expansion of the RECA program in the National Defense Authorization Act. This press conference celebrated progress and drove support for the RECA legislation. Congresswoman Leger Fernandez discussed the next steps to ensure this expansion of RECA stays in the final National Defense Authorization Act. 
Press conference in full available HERE. “What was wrong back then was to leave out inadvertently the communities that are represented here from that compensation. Because justice is not complete until it is justice for all. That is what we are asking for. Justice for everybody." said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández The Congresswoman thanked Senators Hawley and Luján for successfully passing RECA in the Senate and reaffirmed her commitment towards its passage in the House. “We can save lives if we pass this,” Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández concluded. “The recent bipartisan Senate vote to extend and expand RECA was the closest we have been to strengthening this critical program, following years of persistence, organizing, advocacy, and bipartisan cooperation,” said Senator Luján. “Today, I was honored to join my colleagues to make clear that RECA expansion is a bipartisan, bicameral priority that must be included in the final National Defense Authorization Act. It’s only right that these affected individuals – who played a critical role in our national security – are finally compensated.” RECA is part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which will go to the House-Senate Conference Committee to resolve bicameral differences. 
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