New Mexico lawmakers, others lambast House speaker for blocking downwinder aid bill

[ad_1]

Aug. 13—ALBUQUERQUE — House Speaker Mike Johnson wasn't at an event decrying the inaction on a proposal to expand and extend protections for atomic-test downwinders and former uranium mine workers.

But New Mexico's three U.S. representatives, all Democrats, made sure the Louisiana Republican's role in blocking a vote on the bipartisan measure earlier this year was front and center.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, a first-term congressman in a tough fight to keep his swing district Southern New Mexico seat against his Republican predecessor Yvette Herrell, lambasted Johnson for failing to call a vote on the bill to reauthorize and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

"We still have not been able to pass this legislation, which is bipartisan, which is the right thing to do, which is what America stands for and which is what New Mexico stands for, because of one person," Vasquez said at Tuesday's news conference. "And that is Speaker Mike Johnson."

Despite being home to the Trinity Test, the first-ever atomic bomb test in July 1945 — a blast that showered radioactive material on nearby communities — New Mexico is one of several states ineligible for federal compensation for fallout exposure under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Only parts of Arizona, Nevada and Utah qualify for compensation.

Earlier this year, a bipartisan attempt to extend the act to residents of New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Guam passed the U.S. Senate by a wide margin but was never voted on in the House, with House Republicans citing concerns about the cost of the expansion.

Tuesday's event, held at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, underscored the Democrats' frustration with Johnson and other House Republicans. The event also sought to draw a contrast between Vasquez, who represents the most competitive of New Mexico's three congressional districts, and Herrell, who was endorsed by Johnson last year.

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández said she was proud of the bipartisan support of the measure from Senate Republicans like Josh Hawley, whose Missouri constituents have been affected by uranium processing.

"In the Senate, he helped us get that passed," Leger Fernández said. "That's what happens when you have bipartisanship — you can get something like that passed. You can address injustice."

She said she believes the measure has enough support to pass the House.

"Speaker Johnson knows that we have the votes to get it passed on the floor," she said.

Paul Pino, a Carrizozo native, described the multiple afflictions of his family members who were living 38 miles away at the time the Trinity Test. His mother survived skin cancer but died of bone cancer; his older brother died of stomach cancer; one of his sisters survived thyroid cancer but found out just last week she has breast cancer.

"The other family member that I had alive at that time has survived two operations for brain tumors," Pino said, adding that many babies in the area died and many pregnant women miscarried. "... Imagine experiencing this."

Pino said newspaper articles at the time chalked the infant deaths up to lifestyle.

"That makes me want to punch somebody in the face," he said.

Pino said he doesn't know what could convince Johnson to allow a vote on the bill.

"It hasn't moved his heart at all, his Christian soul," Pino said.

Tina Cordova, a longtime advocate for the plight of New Mexico's downwinders, said giving compensation to those sickened by radiation poisoning and their families should be a "nonpartisan issue," pointing out the large majority of communities that would benefit from expansion are in Republican House districts.

"They are saying no to their own voters," Cordova said. "I hope their voters remember that when we vote this coming November."

Vasquez said he is urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to prioritize the issue in this year's National Defense Authorization Act.

"We spend $860 billion or more on national defense every single year," he said. "There's no ... reason we cannot include and expand RECA reauthorization to include New Mexicans in the NDAA."

[ad_1]

Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66bc2eaaa0a846c28e0321e199bbaad8&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Fnews%2Fmexico-lawmakers-others-lambast-house-033300645.html&c=12237081481214676601&mkt=en-us Author : Publish date : 2024-08-13 16:33:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source .

New Mexico lawmakers, others lambast House speaker for blocking downwinder aid bill

‘Unbelieveable’: Peoria native Liv Warfield sings Prince song on ‘America’s Got Talent’ live show

Honduran president meets Chinese official with trade deal on horizon

Honduran president meets Chinese official with trade deal on horizon

Alarm Bells Ring: DENV-3 Raises Fears of Widespread Dengue Outbreaks in the Americas

Bad Bunny’s Daring Leap: Bringing Puerto Rico to the Super Bowl Spotlight!

Suriname Triumphs: A Historic Victory as the Nation is Declared Malaria-Free!

Heartbreaking Drone Strike: Were Two Trinidadians Victims of a U.S. Attack Near Venezuela?

Don’t Miss a Moment: Stream the Thrilling Uruguay vs. Peru Showdown in the Copa America Femenina Today!

Discovering the Untold Story: The 50-Year Quest for the U.S. Purchase of the Virgin Islands

Lawmakers Demand War Powers Vote as Tensions Rise Over Trump’s Venezuela Threat

Alabama’s Automakers Prepare for Trump’s Tariffs: A Bold New Strategy Unfolds!

Heartbreaking Tragedy Exposes Critical Failures in America’s Pedestrian Safety

Uncover the Caribbean’s Best-Kept Secret: The Island Everyone is Talking About for Its Safety!

Categories

Archives