{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-gallup-lujan-holds-forum-to-raise-awareness-of-expanded-reca-compensation-for-new-mexicans/", "In Gallup, Luj\u00e1n Holds Forum to Raise Awareness of Expanded RECA Compensation for New Mexicans", "2026-08-20", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NM", "Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n", "L000570", "www.lujan.senate.gov", "lujan", "https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "Gallup, N.M. \u2013 On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.) led a public outreach forum in Gallup to raise awareness about expanded compensation available through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and help New Mexicans understand how they can apply for the compensation they deserve.\n\nDuring the forum, Senator Luj\u00e1n joined local leaders and advocates to provide information about expanded eligibility under RECA and the resources available to help New Mexicans apply for compensation. The forum included a presentation on how eligible individuals can submit claims through the U.S. Department of Justice and access resources to assist with the application process.\n\n\u201cFor generations, New Mexicans have carried the burden of our nation\u2019s nuclear legacy, and for far too long, many were denied the recognition and compensation they deserved,\u201d said Senator Luj\u00e1n. \u201cAfter fighting alongside survivors, uranium workers, and their families, we secured a historic expansion of RECA to finally deliver justice to more New Mexicans. Now, we have to make sure every eligible New Mexican has the resources they need to apply. I will continue working to ensure no New Mexican who sacrificed for our national security is left behind.\u201d\n\nMore information regarding RECA eligibility and the application process can be found here.\n\nSince being elected to Congress, Senator Luj\u00e1n has played a leading role in advancing legislation to strengthen the RECA program, introducing RECA legislation in every Congress and twice passing it through the Senate.\n\nIn January, Senator Luj\u00e1n announced that DOJ launched a new online portal for RECA claims. In September of last year, Senator Luj\u00e1n and the New Mexico Delegation sent an open letter to New Mexico\u2019s holders of health care records, birth and death records, tax records, school records and any other necessary records to request their full cooperation in delivering long overdue justice for New Mexicans exposed to radiation. Last year, Senator Luj\u00e1n announced that he secured clear guidance to provide claimants the instructions they need to apply for and receive compensation through RECA.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-21T05:30:57Z", "2026-08-21T05:32:22Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-gallup-lujan-holds-forum-to-raise-awareness-of-expanded-reca-compensation-for-new-mexicans/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6886780504137278, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}