Why you should care about protections for U.S. victims of radiation
UPHE has been urgently pushing for Congress to resume compensation for “downwinders.” Downwinders are people, many Utahns included, who were impacted by nuclear testing. The fallout of nuclear testing resulted in health issues such as cancer, and genetic mutations. Since testing at the Nevada site was conducted from 1951 to 1992, many victims in Utah and the Western U.S are still seeing the impacts.
RECA, the act covering victims, expired in June of 2024 due to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to put the Act to a vote. The bill passed the Senate, despite both of Utah’s U.S. Senators, Republicans Mitt Romney and Mike Lee, shamefully voting no on the bill.
UPHE’s Dr. Brian Moench was quoted by Union of Concerned Citizens on the issue, saying, “So far, none of Utah’s congressional delegation supports expanding federal benefits in the RECA Act, claiming the ‘data doesn’t support it.’ Their claim is either disingenuous or borne of ignorance. The only country that has ever detonated nuclear bombs over American citizens is our own. That moral failure has been compounded by the indifference and cruelty of Utah’s Congressional delegation’s turning their backs on their own constituents. We all deserve better.”
We joined another letter to Utah’s delegation on the issue, writing, “We also ask that you convey your position of support to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and House leadership. We know that you are well aware of the issues surrounding RECA, as this is the 3rd letter we have sent to the Utah delegation, as of yet with little or no response.”
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