James Moylan

(Hagåtña, Guam) — Congressman James Moylan announced the introduction of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026 (RECRA), bipartisan legislation that builds upon his efforts since his first year in Congress to ensure Guam and other communities harmed by the nation's nuclear testing receive the compensation and recognition they deserve. Congressman Moylan has long been an advocate for expanding RECA. Since first co-leading legislation to include Guam and other impacted communities, he has advanced bipartisan efforts through standalone legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act, and other legislative vehicles. This latest proposal seeks to address the remaining gaps left after Congress partially expanded RECA in 2025. The legislation would expand eligibility to additional impacted communities, including Guam, extends the filing deadline by fifteen years, increases compensation, authorizes reimbursement of medical expenses, broadens the list of eligible diseases, streamlines the claims process through the use of affidavits where records are unavailable, and establishes a process for adding future classes of eligible individuals without requiring additional acts of Congress. The bill also recognizes the unique challenges faced by many rural, Tribal, Native, and territorial communities, expands eligibility for atomic cleanup veterans, and directs a comprehensive study into the long-term and multi-generational health effects of radiation exposure. "This legislation brings together a strong bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress, survivors, advocates, and communities who have refused to give up this fight,” said Congressman Moylan. “Together, our voices are stronger, and together, we will keep fighting until every American harmed by radiation exposure receives the justice they have been denied. I’m not backing down until we get this across the finish line for the people of Guam who were impacted and all those still left behind.” Moylan’s measure is backed by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers including co-lead Representatives Wesley Bell (D-MO), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), while additional members have signed on as cosponsors in support of their communities affected by radiation exposure "Long before I got to Congress, I heard from St. Louisans who endured decades of health crises, economic struggles, and neglect after radioactive contamination from the Manhattan Project upended their lives. Families from across my district have suffered from terrible cancers, thyroid issues, and even death because of the improper storage of this deadly waste,” said Congressman Wesley Bell (D-Missouri) . "While no legislation can truly rectify that harm, this expansion of compensable diseases and increase in RECA benefits from $50,000 to $150,000, in addition to covering medical expenses, is a huge step in the right direction. Nothing can fully right this wrong, but this effort tips the scales toward justice — for everyone from St. Louis to Guam.” "For generations, New Mexico's downwinders and uranium workers have carried the cost of our nation's nuclear legacy in their bodies, their families, and their communities,” said Rep. Leger Fernández (D-New Mexico). “Last year, after years of bipartisan work and relentless advocacy from survivors, advocates, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, we finally expanded RECA. That was a historic victory, but our work is not finished. This legislation recognizes a simple truth: more people were harmed than our laws have acknowledged. It expands access to compensation, extends the deadline so families have the time they need to come forward, and provides medical benefits because surviving radiation exposure should not mean facing the cost of care alone. It also recognizes the reality that many records have been lost to time by allowing affidavits to help prove work history and physical presence. New Mexicans deserve justice." “For too long