Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025

Gabe Vasquez

Democrat · NM · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Melanie A. Stansbury (D-NM-1)· 2026-03-17

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.

2026-04-21

Source: Congress.gov

This bill would create a way to officially recognize and commemorate people who were exposed to radiation from nuclear weapons testing conducted by the U.S. military during the Cold War era, particularly those living downwind of test sites in Nevada and other western states. The legislation aims to honor these "downwinders"—civilians and military personnel who suffered health problems from the radiation exposure—through memorials, educational efforts, or other forms of acknowledgment. The bill reflects an effort to formally recognize the government's responsibility for the harm caused to these communities during the nuclear testing program.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 4290 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4290 To direct the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the Interior to obtain and place plaques honoring the Downwinder communities of New Mexico, who suffered detrimental health effects as a result of exposure to radioactive fallout. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 2, 2025 Mr. Vasquez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the Interior to obtain and place plaques honoring the Downwinder communities of New Mexico, who suffered detrimental health effects as a result of exposure to radioactive fallout. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. PLAQUES HONORING DOWNWINDER COMMUNITIES OF NEW MEXICO. (a) Finding.--Congress finds that the Downwinder communities of New Mexico suffered generations of detrimental health effects, including cancer and infertility, as a result of exposure to radioactive fallout following the detonation of the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945. (b) Honorific Plaques.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the heads of such other departments and agencies as the Secretaries determine appropriate, shall jointly obtain three honorific plaques of an appropriate design to commemorate the Downwinder communities of New Mexico. (c) Placement of Plaques.--Of the three plaques obtained under subsection (b)-- (1) the Secretary of the Army shall place one plaque at an appropriate, publicly accessible location at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; (2) the Secretary of the Air Force shall place one plaque at an appropriate, publicly accessible location at the Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; and (3) the Secretary of the Interior shall place one plaque at an appropriate, publicly accessible location at White Sands National Park, New Mexico. <all>

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