Editorial: Government honors its pledge — finally

Friday, July 20, 2001 | 10:28 a.m.

It appears that Congress at last will provide immediate compensation for uranium miners and residents who became ill after being exposed to radiation from nuclear weapons tests conducted during the Cold War. The Senate and House have reached a tentative agreement honoring a 1990 law that said these individuals would be paid. But more than a year ago funding for the program ran out, so these men and women were issued IOUs instead, an unconscionable decision that should have been rectified immediately.

There are about 68 Nevadans who are due money totaling $3.5 million. People have died during the past year awaiting the payments, so it's critical that President Bush signs the compensation into law as soon as it is sent to him.

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