Radiation Exposure: Expanding Compensation for Nuclear Testing Victims
To amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to provide for certain claims related to atmospheric testing, and for other purposes.
This bill is in the early stages of the legislative process and was sent to the House Judiciary and Energy and Commerce committees on August 17, 2026. It has not moved since that date and remains under review by these committees. Most bills do not receive a committee vote, so it is unclear if this proposal will advance further.
While there is strong bipartisan support for helping radiation victims, the high cost of adding new states and increasing payments often leads to long debates in Congress.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
The bill requires the Attorney General to account for the laws, traditions, and customs of Indian Tribes when setting up claim filing procedures, and it allows sworn statements from other people to substitute for missing paperwork. This matters for Native communities, including former uranium miners and downwinders, who often lack old employment or residency records.
“take into account and make allowances for the law, tradition, and customs of Indian Tribes (as that term is defined in section 5(b)) and members of Indian Tribes, to the maximum extent practicable”
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Introduced on August 17, 2026, this bipartisan bill seeks to increase RECA compensation to $150,000 and extend the trust fund for 15 years. It adds new compensable diseases and allows the use of affidavits to simplify the claims process for Downwinders and uranium workers.
Congressman James Moylan introduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026, which expands eligibility to Guam, increases payments to $150,000, and authorizes medical expense reimbursement. The bill also mandates a health study for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Colorado lawmakers and advocates are backing a new federal bill to designate Colorado as a downwind state and include Rocky Flats and Cotter Mill as Manhattan Project waste sites. The legislation would provide $150,000 in compensation and cover medical costs for affected residents.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
To amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to provide for certain claims related to atmospheric testing, and for other purposes.
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