East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has announced that Tona Henderson, head of the Idaho Downwinders, will be his guest at the 2024 State of the Union. Henderson has been a vocal advocate for expanding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include Idaho victims of above-ground nuclear weapons testing fallout from the 1950s and 1960s.

In a statement, Senator Crapo expressed his appreciation for Henderson's dedication to the cause, stating, “Tona has been a tireless advocate for Idaho Downwinders and our work in Congress to ensure all victims of Cold War era above-ground weapons testing receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.” He emphasized Henderson's crucial role in sharing the personal stories of Idahoans affected by the fallout.

Henderson, in response to the invitation, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am honored to be invited to the State of the Union Address to represent Idaho Downwinders.” She thanked Senator Crapo for his efforts on behalf of the group and highlighted their plans to engage with congressional staffers during their time in Washington, D.C. to address any questions related to RECA.

Senator Crapo, a longstanding advocate for expanding the RECA program, has previously secured extensions and amendments to provide more time for individuals to seek compensation. Despite a successful Senate vote in July 2023 to include Idaho victims in the program, the amendment was later removed from the NDAA conference report, leading to uncertainty as the program is set to expire this year.