During the week of May 13, Speaker Crystalyne Curley of the 25th Navajo Nation Council and Navajo Nation Washington Office Executive Director Justin Ahasteen, alongside Navajo Uranium Radiation Victims Committee members Phil Harrison and Leslie Begay, advocated on Capitol Hill for critical amendments and an extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which is set to expire in June.
Their visit included strategic meetings with members of Congress, a press conference, and a prayer vigil to honor the affected individuals and underscore the urgent need for congressional action.
Enacted in 1990 and amended in 2000, RECA was designed to provide one-time compensation to veterans and communities impacted by America’s uranium industry and nuclear development program. This compensation is especially significant for the Navajo Nation, which continues to suffer from the health and environmental effects of uranium mining conducted by the federal government.
In a May 17 press release, Curley emphasized the importance of legislative action.
“We call on Congress to pass the RECA amendments to properly compensate all Navajo miners still suffering from radiation exposure,” Curley said. “Our people have endured significant hardships due to America’s nuclear agenda, impacting their health and quality of life. The amendments we propose are not merely legislative changes; they are affirmations of justice and a pledge to heal the deep-seated wounds inflicted on our communities.”
The proposed amendments aim to expand RECA’s coverage to include uranium miners post- 1971, recognize additional health conditions such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic kidney diseases, and improve the claims process to make it more accessible for Navajo claimants.
Curley expressed her gratitude to U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo, Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Eli Craneof, R-Ariz..
As the legislative deadline approaches, the urgency for Congress to act intensifies. The Navajo Nation advocates for the swift passage of S. 3853 - The Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act, to ensure that the Navajo people and other affected communities no longer face delays in receiving the justice they deserve.
Staff Reports
