On Capitol Hill this week, advocates pushing for the extension and expansion of a bill compensating victims of government-authorized nuclear testing programs met with Speaker Mike Johnson’s office. The bill, known as the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), has garnered bipartisan support, with advocates urging Congress to pass a reauthorization.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján, a key Democratic sponsor of the bill, criticized previous versions for excluding certain communities, including those in his home state of New Mexico. He and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley are leading the charge to bring the RECA bill to the House floor. The proposed bill would extend RECA for five years, expand its coverage to additional states, and increase the maximum payout for eligible constituents.
During a press conference, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed their support for RECA reauthorization, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the cause. Despite passing the Senate in a 69-30 vote, there is resistance from some Republicans due to the estimated $50 billion cost of the bill.
With the current authorization set to expire in 2024, time is running out to secure the future of RECA. The bill could be considered as a standalone or as an amendment to other legislation, but the path forward remains uncertain.
In other energy news, efforts to reform permitting processes for energy projects are underway in the House. Representatives are working on a bipartisan permitting proposal that aims to address issues related to renewable and fossil fuel projects. Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee is set to grill Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm over various energy policies, including LNG export applications and electric vehicle subsidies.
Legislators have also introduced a resolution to undo a Treasury rule implementing electric vehicle tax credits, with some Democratic sponsors expressing concerns about its impact on American industries. Additionally, vandals targeting electric vehicle chargers for copper wiring have raised concerns about EV adoption challenges.
Overall, energy policy debates and initiatives continue to unfold on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers exploring ways to address key issues shaping the future of energy production and consumption.
