Guam excluded from radiation compensation in Senate version of 'big beautiful bill'

Guam is excluded from a proposed expansion of the radiation exposure compensation program in the U.S. Senate’s base text of the “big beautiful bill,” drawing disappointment from Guam survivors of fallout from nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific and elected local officials.

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri announced on June 12 what he described as the largest expansion to date of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, RECA, that’s been included in the text of the big beautiful bill.

Hawley earlier proposed to reauthorize RECA after the program’s compensation funds went dark in July 2024.

“The federal government dumped nuclear waste in the backyards of Missourians for decades—and then lied about it,” Hawley said in a statement.

On Guam, members of the Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors, PARS, led by Robert Celestial, have been pushing for years for the inclusion of Guam as a downwinders area under the RECA.

Downwinders lived in areas downwind of U.S. nuclear weapons testing sites, like Guam. PARS has said downwinders are defined as those present in Guam from 1946 to 1962 and who have been diagnosed with one of the cancers associated with radiation exposure.

Del. James Moylan, sharing PARS’ disappointment and frustration, said Guam’s exclusion from the recent proposal undermines the bipartisan progress in the 118th Congress.

“I am deeply disappointed that Guam was excluded in this provision. Our people have carried this burden far too long, and I will be reaching out to Speaker Mike Johnson personally to ensure their voices are not only heard but truly respected,” Moylan said in a statement.

Moylan met with Sen. Therese Terlaje, who’s long been an advocate, and PARS members to discuss the Senate Judiciary Committee’s latest reconciliation proposal reauthorizing the RECA but without Guam once again.

“Even if all of the 43,000 civilians in Guam in 1962 are still alive, diagnosed with cancer, and compensated under the current draft provisions, that would be a drop in the bucket for Congress after decades of injustice—but it would greatly increase access to needed health care for cancer patients and maybe offer some relief from their suffering,” Terlaje said in a statement.

Sen. Joe San Agustin, in an open letter, said Guam’s exclusion from the congressional bill is “both disheartening and unacceptable.”

“Cancer is not merely a statistic on our island; it is a harsh reality that affects countless families. The physical, mental, and financial burdens of this disease are overwhelming, often leading to the breakdown of family units,” San Agustin said. “The people of Guam deserve better.”

In the last Congress, Moylan co-led the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act, RECRA, of 2023. Though the Senate passed its version of the bill in 2024, the House version faced procedural roadblocks.

Moylan, however, said the fight for Guam is far from over, considering that the reconciliation process is still underway.

“This presents a chance to correct a long-standing injustice,” he said. “I will be pushing hard for amendments so that Guam is included. We will not be silenced. We will not be sidelined. I will continue working with our friends and allies to make certain that Guam is not left behind.”

Hawley said the expanded RECA provision would:

• Add eligibility for RECA compensation for residents of affected areas in Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alaska who were exposed to contamination and developed cancers.
• Fully cover existing RECA-eligible “downwind” areas and on-site participants, such as military personnel. These areas currently include regions of Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
• Fully cover all existing RECA uranium mine workers.
• Add new “downwind” areas for claimants: the state of New Mexico, remaining counties in Utah, plus Mohave County in Arizona.
• Increase benefit levels for atmospheric testing survivors to track inflation.
• Add new uranium mine workers who worked in mines from 1971-1990, add core drillers as an eligible worker, and expand eligible diseases.

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