New Mexico Grants Compensation to Atomic Bomb Test Victims
In a significant development for the victims of the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico, the state has passed a bill granting them compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. This marks the first time that individuals in New Mexico will be included in the act, a major victory for advocates who have been fighting for this recognition since 2005.
The historic vote in the Senate on Thursday received overwhelming support, garnering 61 votes. This decision has been an emotional milestone for Tina Cordova, co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, who has been advocating on behalf of the New Mexicans affected by the first atomic bomb test for over a decade. Cordova expressed her deep gratitude, stating, When I saw that we had 61 votes, honestly, it was so emotional, it was such an emotional experience.
Over the years, Cordova has testified before Congress multiple times, appealing for the same acknowledgment and benefits that other Americans exposed to nuclear testing have received for decades. Until now, her efforts had not progressed beyond congressional hearings. However, it seems that the recent release of the film Oppenheimer played a pivotal role in raising awareness and prompting Congress to take action.
Cordova herself has firsthand experience of the collateral damage caused by the nuclear testing. She revealed that she is the fourth generation in her family to have suffered from cancer since 1945. The New Mexicans living near the Trinity Site, where the first atomic bomb was detonated, have been left without support for years. Cordova lamented, When we’ve had nuclear disasters in the past at places like Chernobyl and Fukushima, they’re declared dead zones, and they moved everybody out. And in New Mexico, they never did that thing. They simply never came back to assess the damage.
A recent study conducted by Princeton University confirms that the radioactive fallout from the explosion affected a much larger area than previously believed. With an estimated 15,000 people living within a 50-mile radius of the test site, expanding to encompass half a million people within a 150-mile radius, the need for compensation and medical support is apparent.
If approved by the House, the amendment will grant qualifying Downwinders and uranium miners restitution of up to $150,000, covering their medical expenses as well. However, Cordova recognizes that the battle is not yet over, stating, We’re in the news everywhere right now, dominating the news around the film, and rightly so. And these things are to our benefit at the moment, and we’re going to take advantage of every single one of them.
While the amendment has received Senate approval, it still awaits approval from the House as part of a broader national defense bill. Its final vote may take some time. Once the amendment is officially passed, Cordova’s organization will shift its focus to ensure that as many qualifying New Mexicans as possible are enrolled in the program.
The compensation granted to this group of atomic bomb test victims is a critical step towards acknowledging their suffering and providing much-needed support. Although the battle is not yet over, the progress made so far signifies a significant victory for the Downwinders and miners affected by this devastating event.
