Navajo Leaders Advocate for RECA Renewal as US Senators Revive Key Legislation

On Monday, a group of Diné individuals marched to the Navajo Nation Council Chambers in Window Rock, carrying signs that implored leaders to honor the Treaty of 1868 and reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). This demonstration was part of the National Day of Remembrance for Downwinders, aiming to draw attention to the urgent need for congressional action.

RECA is designed to compensate those affected by radiation exposure due to U.S. nuclear weapons testing and development. Unfortunately, due to a lack of congressional initiative, the program expired last summer, preventing the filing of new claims while limiting considerations for claims submitted before June 10, 2024.

Advocates like Kathleen Tsosie, a member of the Navajo Uranium Radiation Victims Committee and a cancer survivor, expressed frustration during an Instagram Live broadcast. Her family has deep ties to uranium mining in the Navajo Nation, where extensive mining operations from the 1940s through the 1960s exposed many to hazardous conditions. Tsosie emphasized the need for collaboration with congress members to prioritize RECA’s reauthorization.

From 1944 to 1986, nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore were extracted from Navajo lands—damaging health and the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Tsosie indicated that advocacy efforts escalated recently, with groups traveling to Washington, D.C., to lobby for RECA’s renewal.

Maggie Billiman, a founder of the Sawmill Diné Warriors, also addressed the crowd, emphasizing that the struggle for justice under RECA is about ensuring a better future for her children and community members. She poignantly remarked that the White House must recognize their humanity.

A bipartisan coalition of senators is working to reinstate RECA following the failure of similar legislation last year. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), alongside others, have reintroduced a bill promising compensation to individuals impacted by governmental radiation practices.

Historically, thousands of mines operated across the United States, primarily in the West. Current EPA data reveals that over 15,000 mining sites have operated, with significant public health consequences for nearby communities.

Senator Kelly noted the urgent need for compensation, stating, “We owe it to them, and to all those impacted across the country, to right this wrong.” The new legislation aims to extend benefits to additional communities and raise compensation amounts to reflect inflation.

Senator Hawley highlighted that ongoing suffering among Americans exposed to radiation underscores the importance of swift legislative action. “It is vital that we unite to pass this legislation now,” he stated firmly.

From 1945 to 1992, the U.S. conducted 1,030 nuclear tests. Most were at the Nevada Test Site, where atmospheric tests released harmful radioactive materials, posing long-term health risks to surrounding populations.

Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) echoed these sentiments during the march, emphasizing the need for accountability for those affected by nuclear testing. He lamented that many still await the compensation they deserve.

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty reminded attendees of the ongoing legacy of uranium exposure. She asserted that the federal government must confront its historical negligence and advocate for the expansion and funding of RECA to address the prolonged exposure suffered by their communities.