Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Rep. Wayne Owens, D-Utah, presented their bill Wednesday to aid victims of the atomic bomb tests in the 1950s.
The Justice Department will oppose the Hatch-Owens bill, sources at the Department said.The bill would provide a legislative remedy for the health damage done by radioactive fallout from nuclear tests in Nevada. The federal courts have found the United States did harm downwind civilians, but ruled that the government was not subject to suit.
It would also provide remedies for Uranium miners who developed cancer because of badly-ventilated mines.
The Hatch-Owens bill would set up a commission to administer a $100 million trust fund for victims or their heirs.
A panel of victims is scheduled to appear before the same subcommittee Nov. 8.