I am committed to ensuring RECA is implemented urgently and that families receive the compensation they deserve.
Ensure the urgent implementation of the expanded and extended RECA (Radiation Exposure Compensation Act) program so that eligible families receive the compensation they deserve.
Occurrences
Now, together, we have an opportunity to ensure that every eligible individual can access the program in time. ... To qualify for the program, medical and other documentation, often decades old, is required to establish eligibility. ... We urge every institution holding health and other records in New Mexico to do everything possible to support this effort, including; Streamlining and expediting record retrieval processes wherever possible, Working with patients and their families to locate older files, even if archived, and Providing clear guidance and assistance to those who may not know how to navigate medical and other record systems.
This Congress, I am proud to partner with Senator Hawley again to extend and expand RECA.
Now, we must work to ensure people receive the compensation they deserve.
Evidence
In February 2026, Senator Ben Ray Luján held a public outreach forum in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to raise awareness about expanded compensation available through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). During the event, experts and advocates provided information on how to apply for compensation through the Department of Justice (DOJ) and discussed resources available to aid applicants.
In January 2026, Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján announced the launch of a new online portal by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) claims. This portal aims to streamline the application process for New Mexicans seeking compensation for radiation exposure.
In September 2025, Senator Ben Ray Luján, along with other members of the New Mexico delegation, sent an open letter to holders of health care records, birth and death records, tax records, school records, and other necessary documents. The letter requested full cooperation in assisting New Mexicans exposed to radiation in obtaining the documentation required to apply for compensation under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).
In July 2023, the U.S. Senate passed a historic expansion and extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senator Ben Ray Luján led the bipartisan effort to strengthen RECA, which for the first time expanded eligibility to New Mexico downwinders and post-1971 uranium miners who had been previously excluded from compensation.
In January 2025, Senators Ben Ray Luján and Josh Hawley reintroduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act to compensate Americans exposed to radiation by government nuclear programs. Despite previous Senate passage, the House of Representatives had failed to pass the RECA reauthorization before its expiration deadline in the 118th Congress.
On June 10, 2025, marking the one-year anniversary of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) expiration, Senator Ben Ray Luján, along with other lawmakers and advocates, held a press call highlighting the urgent need to reauthorize and strengthen RECA. They emphasized the critical importance of delivering long-overdue justice to Americans harmed by nuclear testing and uranium exposure.
In July 2023, Senators Ben Ray Luján and Mike Crapo, along with Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández and James Moylan, reintroduced bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). The legislation aimed to expand eligibility to include New Mexico downwinders and post-1971 uranium miners, increase compensation amounts, and extend the program's duration.
In September 2021, Senators Ben Ray Luján and Mike Crapo introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). The bill aimed to expand geographic eligibility, increase compensation amounts, and extend the program's duration to provide justice for individuals exposed to radiation through uranium mining and atomic weapons testing.
On September 30, 2025, Senator Luján and the New Mexico delegation sent an open letter to holders of health care, birth and death, tax, and school records, urging full cooperation in assisting radiation exposure victims to obtain necessary documentation for RECA compensation.
On February 2, 2026, it was reported that the U.S. Department of Justice launched an online portal for RECA claims, facilitating the application process for New Mexicans exposed to radiation from nuclear tests.
On June 7, 2022, Senator Luján joined President Biden at the White House for the signing of a two-year extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), preventing its expiration and ensuring continued compensation for affected individuals.
In July 2025, Senator Luján's office released a detailed one-pager outlining the expanded eligibility criteria for New Mexico Downwinders under RECA, providing clear guidance on qualifications and application procedures.
In July 2025, Senator Luján's office released a comprehensive one-pager detailing the expanded RECA eligibility for New Mexico uranium workers and on-site participants, including information on qualifying diseases and compensation amounts.
On January 24, 2025, Senators Luján and Hawley reintroduced legislation to reauthorize and strengthen RECA, aiming to provide compensation to nuclear radiation victims, including New Mexico Downwinders and post-1971 uranium workers.
On July 27, 2023, Senator Luján announced the Senate's passage of a historic expansion and extension of RECA, which included previously excluded groups such as New Mexico Downwinders and post-1971 uranium workers.
On July 6, 2023, Senators Luján, Crapo, and Representative Leger Fernández reintroduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen RECA, aiming to expand eligibility and increase compensation for radiation exposure victims.
The DOJ Civil Division says RECA applicants may now file claims electronically through the RECA Claim Portal, each claim will receive an acknowledgement letter, and the program is working to issue revised regulations during 2026. The page was updated June 5, 2026.
DOJ's June 2, 2026 awards summary reports 29,121 claims pending, 5,268 approved, $373,075,000 approved, and only 2 denied under PL 119-21.
DOJ says RECA applicants may now file claims electronically through the RECA Claim Portal, each filed claim will receive an acknowledgement letter, and the program is using existing regulations where possible while working to issue revised regulations during 2026. The page was updated July 7, 2026.
DOJ states that RECA was reauthorized under Pub. L. 119-21, enacted July 4, 2025, and that the amended claimant categories include New Mexico downwinders, uranium workers in New Mexico and other states through 1990, and Manhattan Project waste claimants; it also lists a December 31, 2027 filing deadline.
DOJ's awards table for claims received under PL 119-21 reports 29,121 pending claims, 5,268 approved claims, $373,075,000 approved, 2 denials, and 34,391 total claims as of June 2, 2026.
Congress.gov records that H.R. 1 became Public Law No. 119-21 on July 4, 2025, and its CRS summary says Subtitle C on Radiation Exposure Compensation Matters reestablishes and expands the program, extends the supporting fund through 2028, expands designated areas to include New Mexico, makes more uranium workers eligible, and extends the claims deadline through 2027.
Public Law 119-21 amended the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to cover claims relating to atmospheric testing in New Mexico, define affected areas to include New Mexico, Utah, Idaho and specified counties, and cover uranium mine or mill employment in New Mexico and other listed states from January 1, 1942 through December 31, 1990.
Assessments
The promised outcome was substantially fulfilled during Lujan's current Senate term. Congress enacted Public Law 119-21 on July 4, 2025, reauthorizing and expanding RECA to include New Mexico downwinders and additional uranium workers, and DOJ subsequently opened claims infrastructure, reported active claim adjudication, and approved thousands of claims totaling hundreds of millions of dollars by June 2026. Lujan also materially advanced the policy through repeated bipartisan RECA legislation, Senate passage efforts, public outreach, and implementation support, so candidate credit is appropriate rather than merely partial.
Lujan materially advanced RECA through repeated bipartisan legislation, Senate passage of the expansion/extension, and later oversight and outreach to speed implementation. By 2026 the DOJ had opened the RECA claims portal and was actively processing and approving claims, which shows the promised expanded program was not just enacted but implemented. Because the decisive action and implementation occurred while he was still in the Senate, this is same-term delivery rather than later-term credit.
There is strong, consistent evidence that Senator Ben Ray Luján took multiple legislative and executive actions to achieve the urgent implementation of an expanded and extended RECA program. These include leading or cosponsoring relevant bipartisan bills, securing Senate passage of RECA expansion, pushing for reauthorization, conducting outreach to affected communities, releasing detailed implementation guidance, facilitating coordination for required documentation, and announcing/implementing the launch of application portals. Compensation to eligible families has been actively facilitated. The timeline and breadth of actions clearly fulfill the promise.
The evidence shows that Senator Luján not only advocated for and introduced multiple bipartisan bills to expand and extend RECA, but also successfully led the Senate to pass this expansion in 2023. He actively worked to implement the program by holding public outreach forums, advocating for necessary administrative cooperation, and announcing the DOJ's launch of an online claims portal to help eligible families access compensation. These actions demonstrate both serious legislative effort and tangible implementation steps to ensure eligible families receive compensation. Therefore, the promise is considered delivered, accomplished within the same term.