Orrin Hatch: “today I am joining with my esteemed colleague and chairman of the Budget Committee, Senator Domenici, in introducing two…”

“today I am joining with my esteemed colleague and chairman of the Budget Committee, Senator Domenici, in introducing two pieces of legislation that will ensure the full funding of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, RECA, Trust Fund. As the original sponsor of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990 and the subsequent amendments to the Act, S. 1515 which was enacted last year, I am pleased that this program has provided much needed compassionate compensation to thousands of individuals. And, although many RECA eligible individuals have received compensation, it is now apparent that a funding shortfall exists within the program resulting in hundreds of individuals not receiving their payments. The legislation Senator Domenici and I are introducing today is designed to meet the funding shortfall so that all eligible individuals who are approved for compensation will receive their payment and not an 'IOU' from the Justice Department. The first bill ensures the timely payment of benefits to eligible persons by providing $84 million to the RECA Trust Fund for fiscal year 2001.”