WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen announced her co-sponsorship of the Downwinders Parity Act, legislation that would extend eligibility for compensation due to sickness caused by radiation exposure from nuclear testing at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). This bill would ensure that all individuals in Clark County, Nevada who were present during the atmospheric nuclear testing at the NNSS and exposed to radiation are eligible for federal compensation.
“During the Cold War, nuclear testing was prevalent in Nevada. Those Nevadans who were exposed to radiation and harmed as a result of the nuclear tests are deserving of compensation potentially totaling in the tens of thousands of dollars,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to co-sponsor this legislation which takes an important step in seeing that eligible Nevadans are able to receive the support they deserve.”
BACKGROUND: The Downwinders Parity Act would amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) – which currently offers up to $50,000 in compensation to some miners, workers, downwinders, and other individuals living in certain parts of the country, who are suffering from the effects of uranium mining and nuclear testing carried out during the Cold War – to extend eligibility to all individuals exposed to radiation in Clark County.
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