Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) led a bipartisan group of senators and representatives demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately release updated regulations for the newly expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and ensure the program is implemented quickly and effectively.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the lawmakers thanked the DOJ for promptly updating the RECA application forms but stressed that regulatory delays could cost gravely ill survivors precious time. The letter outlines specific steps the DOJ should take to make the program accessible, including hiring navigators to assist claimants, offering multiple application methods, providing multilingual resources, and protecting survivors from scams.

“Our constituents have waited far too long for justice. Many survivors are already very ill, and with each passing week, more may die or be diagnosed. We must act now to make sure RECA is implemented swiftly and effectively so that those harmed by our government’s nuclear testing program can finally access the compensation they deserve,” said the legislators.

The expanded RECA program, passed earlier this year after decades of advocacy, broadens eligibility to include communities long excluded from compensation — including downwinders in New Mexico and uranium workers in additional states.

Since she was elected, Rep. Leger Fernández has led the push in the House to expand RECA to New Mexico downwinders and post 1971 Uranium miners. She has repeatedly introduced legislation to cover all impacted communities, has held press conferences with survivors, and was honored to have uranium worker Phil Harrison join her for the 2024 State of the Union.

Joining Leger Fernández on the letter are Senators Ben Ray Luján, Martin Heinrich, Mark Kelly, Ruben Gallego, and Representatives Celeste Maloy, Greg Stanton, Wesley Bell, Melanie Stansbury, Gabe Vasquez, Dina Titus, Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr., Pramila Jayapal, and Brittany Pettersen.

The lawmakers requested a meeting with DOJ leadership to ensure the agency understands the needs of impacted communities and acts in accordance with tribal customs, rural realities, and the urgency of survivors’ health conditions.

The lawmakers also encourage everyone applying to collect the necessary information as soon as possible and watch out for scammers. If you or anyone you know have any concerns about the program, contact your local member of Congress, the Department of Justice office of  Compensation Programs at the RECA Program toll-free number, 1-800-729-7327 or civil.reca@usdoj.gov or the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium who will offer free assistance at trinitydownwinders.com.

You can read the full letter here.