Crapo staff member Lindsay Northern told the Deseret Morning News that the Idaho senator's office is "still in discussions" with Utah's senators regarding their stances on the bill. As to whether all of Utah may be added to the bill's compensation expansion area if Bennett and Hatch support it, Northern said, "If they decide to join us on a new bill, they would determine what is covered, not us.

"We just decided to go with an Idaho-Montana bill at this time to get the bill (introduced) before the recess. Other states can, and may be, added later."

Asked about the issue, Bennett press secretary Emily Christensen wrote in an e-mail, "Sen. Bennett has worked hard to fully fund the program's shortfalls, but it is an ongoing challenge.

"Expanding RECA will only place an extra burden on an already stressed program. As these discussions proceed, he will continue to work with Sen. Hatch to ensure that Utah's downwinders are protected."

Hatch's office passed along this statement from him: "I am aware that some in other Western states believe RECA should be expanded to cover additional geographic areas.

"If the science is there to justify an expansion — I will support it. That has always been how I evaluate RECA — changes should be made on the best available science."

J Truman, — a Malad, Idaho, man who formerly lived in southwestern Utah and is director of the group Downwinders United — said he's grateful for the actions by Idaho's and Montana's senators.

But he added that he was saddened that so far, other Utah and Arizona residents are not to be covered by RECA.

He said there's no excuse for not at least trying "to give the same small measure of justice to those in the rest of Utah and Arizona."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com