Facebook Twitter Email
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2001

The House on Tuesday defeated funding to compensate victims of radiation from uranium mning but leaders expect resolution with the Senate will result in an $84 million earmark for the program.

As part of a supplemental appropriations bill approved on Tuesday, the Senate approved funding for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Democrats in the House tried to do the same but were defeated by Republicans who said their opponents were merely mounting a publicity stunt.

The majority of the radiation victims are in the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado where most uanium mining took place. About a quarter are Navajo, according to Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.).

The "compassionate compensation" trust fund allows for victims to receive up to $100,000. The trust fund is currently without monies and dying miners and affected families have been receiving government IOUs for their loss.

Get the Story:
Cannon, Hansen Help Defeat Demo Push for Downwinder Funds (The Salt Lake Tribune 7/13)

Related Stories:
Senate approves radiation compensation (7/12)
Senate panel approves uranium fund (6/22)
Bill would compensate radiation victims (6/21)
Uranium IOUs not funded by Bush (6/4)
Uranium still leading to death (4/2)
Compensation for radiation urged (3/02)
Uranium compensation slow to come (1/29)
Uranium poisons Navajo miners (7/31)
Law compensates Navajo miners (7/25)