WASHINGTON - Sens. Richard Bryan and Harry Reid, both D-Nev., are again pushing an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act that would compensate Nevada Test Site workers for health related problems traced to their work at the test site.
"Our amendment is an effort to make sure that all current and past workers at the Nevada Test Site are included and eligible for the current compensation package that is now working its way through Congress," said Bryan.
He has raised the issue before in connection with plans to compensate workers at the Department of Energy who helped develop the nation's nuclear arsenal.
The amendment would allow compensation up to $200,000 for workers who suffer from silicosis from tunneling work at the Test Site. In addition, it would set a more reasonable standard for workers exposed to dangerous radiation to receive federal compensation.
