As of September 18, the Department of Justice Civil Division has paid out almost $800 million to radiation-affected victims of nuclear weapons testing, uranium mining, or Manhattan Project waste facilities. Compensation has gone to 11,000 people that became eligible to receive benefits under the 2025 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). This has been a success story for those who have waited decades for recognition of diseases or death at the hands of the nuclear industry. Other programs, such as the PACT Act for Atomic Veterans, have resulted in a majority of claims being denied, while the recently expanded RECA program has approved over 99% of claims. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2027. Shortcomings of the 2025 RECA bill are addressed in a 2026 reauthorization act that was introduced by Republican Representative James Moylan of Guam Aug. 17. ⸺ U.S. Department of Justice, Sept. 18; Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, Aug. 28, 2026; NBC News, Aug. 23, 2023
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