Formally apologizing for the nuclear legacy of the United States in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and affirming the importance of free association between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Marshall Islands

That Congressâ€” recognizes thatâ€” the United States nuclear testing program and radioactive waste disposal in the Marshall Islands caused irreparable material and intangible harm to the people of the Marshall Islands; and although the United States governed the Marshall Islands during such nuclear testing program and had complete responsibility for the welfare of the people of the Marshall Islands, the United Statesâ€” failed to evacuate those people from areas contaminated by nuclear radiation; the historic resettlement of the atolls occurred in conditions that carried risks, although remediation and cleanup has improved the conditions since that time; and conducted medical research on individuals without the consent of such people; apologizes on behalf of the United States to the individuals and families of the Marshall Islands for the hardships they have endured as a result of the United States nuclear testing program and radioactive waste disposal; has committed to provide assistance to the Marshall Islands and the other Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau) to adapt to the worst effects of the climate crisis which, among other existential challenges, includes rising seas that are moving radioactive matter outside of the Runit Dome, and should do more in this regard; urges the Secretary of Energy to complete as soon as possible a radiochemical analysis of the groundwater surrounding Cactus Crater in accordance with section 103(f)(1) of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 ( (48 U.S.C. 1921b(f)(1)) ); commits to securing healthcare coverage for veterans of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel who participated in the clean up of radiological waste of former United States nuclear test sites in the Marshall Islands; affirms that the Compact of Free Association, as amended and added to, between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, done at Majuro on June 25, 1983 (referred to in this resolution as the "Compact of Free Association" ), most recently in the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024, reflected the ongoing commitment of the United States to address problems faced by the people of the Marshall Islands stemming from United States nuclear weapons tests in many respects through section 206(c) of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 and other provisions, and is the cornerstone of the strong relationship between the Marshall Islands and the United States, which also includesâ€” vital contributions of the people of the Marshall Islands in the United States; high rates of service in the Armed Forces by citizens of the Marshall Islands; and a shared desire for a free, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region; has demonstrated commitment between the United States Freely Associated States and the United States Government to be the bedrock of a free and open Indo-Pacific through the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024; and acknowledges that nothing in this resolutionâ€” authorizes any claim against the United States; supersedes any provision of the Compact of Free Association or its subsidiary agreements; and serves as a settlement of any claim against the United States.

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