WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA) which includes several bills, including Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) Beryllium Testing Fairness Act, on Wednesday.
According to a press release, Sen. Murray’s bill helps nuclear weapons complex workers, including Hanford workers, access care for diseases caused by beryllium exposure.
“Beryllium exposure is a serious health risk for Hanford workers, but not everyone who needs medical benefits to help treat diseases caused by beryllium exposure can get them—and that’s because the law doesn’t match today’s science,” said Sen. Murray.
The NDAA passed the Senate in a vote of 87-13. It now heads to the House of Representatives.
Sen. Murray’s bill was introduced in September 2022 after she met with workers from Hanford. She notes in her press release that the current federal law has a requirement of proof of illness which is now outdated.
“I have always cared deeply about the safety and wellbeing of the workers at Hanford—I believe I have a serious obligation as their voice in the United States Senate to fight for the protections and benefits they deserve,” said Sen. Murray.
Along with the Beryllium Testing Fairness Act, the NDAA bill the Senate passed includes:
A boost in pay for military and civilian personnel by 5.2 percent.Improvement in care and education services for military families.Requiring military bases to have a Tribal liason from either an Indian tribe, a Native Hawaiian organization or Tribal interest in the surrounding area.
