House Republicans Urge White House to Stabilize Chemical Safety Board

Two key figures on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee have taken up the baton from their predecessors in casting a skeptical eye on the functionality of the independent Chemical Safety Board. Committee Chairman Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., joined by environment subcommittee chairman Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., sent an Aug. 7 letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly that recaps five years of troubled management at the 40-person investigative agency. The well-reported troubles ranged from misuse of private emails to a “toxic atmosphere” that shattered morale, to slow hiring, to inappropriate outside contracts by a board member. The five-member board is down to three since the surprise resignation in May of Chairman Vanessa Allen Sutherland. It is currently led by Interim Executive Authority Kristen Kulinowski, alongside board members Manuel “Manny” Ehrlich and Rick Engler, with two vacancies.