Gluesenkamp Perez Urges Senate to Fund the Independent Watchdog Chemical Safety Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Early this week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez sent a letter to Senate Appropriations leaders urging them to include robust funding for the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazards Investigations Board (CSB) in the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez championed CSB funding in the House draft of this appropriations bill. Her efforts resulted in raising the budget – which had been cut entirely in the Administration’s proposal – back to its FY26 enacted level of $14 million.

The CSB is an independent, nonregulatory federal agency created by Congress. In the wake of chemical disasters, CSB is tasked with investigating the circumstances and cause of the incident and providing recommendations to prevent similar disasters from ever happening again. It is through this work that families, communities, and victims get the truth and assurances they need to move forward in the wake of world altering tragedies.

“Last month, when millworkers in Longview faced the worst industrial accident in modern Washington history, a team from the CSB arrived at the site the next day, ready to get to work,” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “I’m really proud of my work, and the bipartisan work of my colleagues in the House, ensuring that the agency is fully funded and able to continue keeping jobsites safe. We need the Senate to build on this momentum and ensure strong, sustained funding for the CSB in this and all future appropriations bills.”

The letter, which was addressed to Senate Appropriations Chair Collins, Vice Chair Murray, Chair Murkowski, and Ranking Member Merkley, can be read HERE.

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