Guam’s call for radiation exposure pay hits a snag as it marks 20 years since the release of report backing its claims

 By Pacific Island Times News Staff

While gaining momentum in the previous session of the U.S. Congress, the recurring proposal for Guam’s inclusion in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act program has been pushed aside under a new version of the bill.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley reintroduced the RECA amendment bill this week, expanding the program's coverage to include more health conditions and more areas eligible for compensation. However, Guam, which was among the areas included in previous bills, has been stricken from the list.

 “I am deeply disappointed that Guam was excluded from this provision. Our people have carried this burden far too long and I will be reaching out to Speaker Mike Johnson personally to ensure their voices are not only heard but truly respected,” Guam Del. James Moylan said.

Guam faced the new challenge as it marked the 20th year since the National Research Council released its report declaring the territory’s eligibility for compensation under the RECA program.

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“Guam did receive measurable fallout from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific between 1946 and 1958,” reads the council’s 2005 report, which recommended that people living on island during that period be compensated under RECA “in a way similar to that of persons considered to be downwinders.”

The report established a correlation between nuclear testing and high incidences of cancer in Guam, which is the second leading cause of death on island.

In 2024, the U.S. Senate passed its version of the RECA amendment bill, which would extend the program to Guam, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana and New Mexico. However, the proposal was defeated in the House of Representatives.

Smarting from Hawley's new bill, Moylan said Guam's exclusion “undermines the bipartisan progress achieved” in the 118th Congress.

“I will be pushing hard for amendments so that Guam is included. We will not be silenced. We will not be sidelined. I will continue working with our friends and allies to make certain that Guam is not left behind,” Moylan said.

He said the reconciliation process for the bill, which is still underway, “presents a chance to correct a long-standing injustice.”

At the Guam legislature, Sens. Therese Terlaje and Joe San Agustin called for a united front to support the Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors, led by Robert Celestial, who has been fighting for radiation compensation for over two decades.

“Even if all of the 43,000 civilians in Guam in 1962 are still alive, diagnosed with cancer, and compensated under the current draft provisions, that would be a drop in the bucket for Congress after decades of injustice, but it would greatly

increase access to needed healthcare for cancer patients and maybe offer some 

relief from their suffering,” Terlaje said.

San Agustin said the Guam legislature has taken steps to support the cause through Resolution 171-37.

"This resolution expresses strong support for amendments that would recognize Guam as a

downwinder of U.S. nuclear test sites and provide coverage to affected individuals," San Agustin said.

The resolution urged the U.S. Congress to include Guam in RECA, extend the claims period, raise the compensation amount to $150,000 and provide essential medical benefits.

"The people of Guam are not just statistics; we are U.S. citizens who have borne the scars of governmental decisions for far too long. We deserve recognition, justice and support," San Agustin said.

"As we continue this fight, let us remember that the struggle for justice is a collective one. The time to act is now," he added.

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