“I strongly condemn the removal of compensation, support, and recognition of the Downwinders in New Mexico from the National Defense Authorization Act. It has been 78 years since the first nuclear weapon was detonated at the Trinity Test site in New Mexico and we will never know the full extent of the sacrifice suffered by those citizens downwind of that test. The expansion of the Radioactive Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in the NDAA was a bipartisan, long-overdue measure of support and assistance to the Downwinders. Congress’s past and continued failure to recognize these Downwinders is disgraceful.
I stand with New Mexico’s Congressional Delegation in renewing our commitment to exploring every avenue to finally bring the recognition and compensation for the Downwinders who have been ignored for all these years,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez.
A previous press release announcing additional Attorneys General from across the country joining AG Torrez’s effort in August: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez Leads Group of Attorneys General From Across the Country Urging Congress to Pass RECA Amendments
An opinion editorial regarding this effort can also be found here.