David Loebsack: “for decades during the Cold War, hundred of thousands of Department of Energy employees, including thousands of workers…”

“for decades during the Cold War, hundred of thousands of Department of Energy employees, including thousands of workers at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in my district, worked diligently at our Nation's nuclear weapons facilities. These men and women worked with radioactive and other hazardous materials, and some ultimately sacrificed their health for the security of our Nation. In response, Congress enacted the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act to provide compensation and medical benefits to these former nuclear employees. The intent of this act was to honor and care for Cold War veterans who became ill while working at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and other DOE facilities. However, due to mismanagement and delays, the compensation program has only paid 11,829, or 23 percent, of the 51,188 claims that have been filed nationwide. My constituents, and thousands of former DOE employees like them, have been subjected to bureaucratic red tape and unfair burdens of proof, delaying their compensation and even, in some cases, preventing them from filing claims. Congress made clear in enacting the compensation program that our Nation's Cold War heroes should be justly compensated for the illnesses they contracted while serving our country. Sadly, the Department of Labor has failed to ensure that the claims are properly processed and approved.”