During the Cold War, approximately 600,000 Americans were employed at atomic weapons program facilities in the U.S., including thousands of workers at the former Rocky Flats plant in Colorado. Many of these workers were unknowingly exposed to radioactive and toxic substances, and as a result, developed debilitating and often terminal illnesses. That’s why I included an amendment in the recently-passed National Defense Authorization Act to improve the Energy Employees Occupational Illness and Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).
In 2015, I helped create the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health to reduce red tape faced by workers seeking compensation for illnesses developed as a direct result of their job. My amendment would make several adjustments to better empower the Advisory Board, improve the claims process for workers, and expand transparency at the Department of Labor. It would also extend the authorization for the Office of the Ombudsman which serves as a key advocate for former nuclear weapons workers and is set to expire in October.
These workers risked their lives to protect our nation and helped end the Cold War. We owe these patriots the compensation and care they need and deserve as they deal with the health consequences and other side effects related to their service to our country.
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