Crapo, Luján Take Bipartisan Action to Secure Clear Guidance for Claimants Following the Recent Extension and Expansion of RECA

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) encouraged the Trump Administration to provide detailed guidance for claimants to access the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program following its expansion and extension by Congress.  In letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Senators Crapo and Luján highlighted the need to implement guidance quickly and efficiently for the expanded RECA program as the current extension of RECA expires in just over two years.

“After decades of advocacy, communities harmed by radiation exposure are set to finally receive long-overdue recognition and compensation.  This achievement marks a significant step toward providing some justice to families who have waited far too long,” the Senators wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi.  “After decades of struggle, we ask that the Department of Justice move swiftly to issue guidance for claimants to access the program.”

“As you know, the current extension of the program expires in just over two years.  This means time is limited to fulfill the promise of this expansion and ensure every eligible uranium miner and onsite participant receives compensation,” the Senators wrote to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer.  “We urge the Department of Labor to act swiftly and efficiently in developing and posting guidance to implement the expanded RECA and Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) programs.”

Crapo is a longtime Senate proponent of expanding the RECA program.  In 2022, Crapo was successful in securing an extension of the RECA program for two years, allowing more individuals more time to apply for compensation.  In July 2023, the U.S. Senate passed, by a vote of 61-37, an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen RECA.  The program would have been expanded to include Idaho victims.  Later, in December, the amendment was stripped from the conference report of the NDAA.  The program expired June 7, 2024.

The full text of the letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi is available here.

The full text of the letter to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is available here.

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