Tom Udall: “However, because the amendment fails to accomplish real reform of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation…”

“However, because the amendment fails to accomplish real reform of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, I must rise in opposition to the amendment. It has been almost 3 rac{1}{2} years since Congress passed the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. This bill was passed in an attempt to bring justice to the thousands of energy workers who incurred illnesses--in many cases deadly--as a result of their work at Department of Energy facilities. In my state of New Mexico, there are over 1,200 workers who have filed such claims. Yet after 3 rac{1}{2} years, less than 3 percent of the cases filed with the Department of Energy have been processed. This means that the vast majority of the men and women who have filed claims through this program--many of whom will die before they ever see a compensation check--are being denied justice. Conversely, the Department of Labor has processed over 95 percent of the claims in its area of responsibility. DOE recognizes that it has failed yet now it wants more money. Surely I am not the only member on this floor who shudders at the prospect of throwing millions more at a department that has failed this program and these people for almost 4 years.”