Demonstrators gathering on Capitol Hill this week are calling on Congress to reauthorize compensation programs for victims of radiation exposure – especially in Indigenous communities that have been disproportionately affected.
The latest version of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act would expand the covered population, extend compensation eligibility, and recognize victims beyond its initial scope.
Advocates representing the Navajo, Laguna Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo and Hopi tribes are pushing for House Speaker Mike Johnson to advance the bill from where it’s been on his desk since March.
“I grew up in Cove, Arizona,” said Kathleen Tsosie, one of the many on their way. She’s traveling across the country by bus this week, still recovering from treatment for her second time with breast cancer. “No matter what we do, we still lose – are still losing loved ones.”
Once they arrive, demonstrators will sing, chant and dance on Capitol Hill over the course of three days, she said, “hoping and praying that Speaker Mike Johnson will have at least some type of compassion in him to change his mind and put this on the floor.”
Justin Ahasteen, who directs the Navajo Nation Washington Office, said they have been disproportionately affected by uranium mining and nuclear testing.
“It's a big slap in the face and honestly it's really offensive to the Navajo people,” said Ahasteen. “We've provided so much in the interest of national security to the country.”
Now, he said, they’re calling on the federal government to do its part in the aftermath with many communities still exposed to contamination that haven’t received recourse or recognition.
“This renewed interest in uranium mining is dangerous and the Navajo Nation has taken a stand that we're not going to let this happen again,” said Ahasteen. “Don't bring a new problem when you haven't addressed the last problem that you created.”
Ahasteen said that if the bill fails, compensation that expired in June will be permanently gone.
