Chaffetz, Cummings Issue Statement on Chemical Safety Board Chairman Dr. Rafael Moure-Eraso’s Expected Resignation
President Barack Obama is expected to request the resignation of Chemical Safety Board Chairman Dr. Rafael Moure-Eraso. In response to this news, Chairman Jason Chaffetz (UT-03) and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (MD-07) issued the following statement:
“The Chemical Safety Board is in desperate need of new leadership and we are pleased that the President has recognized the importance of making key changes within the Chemical Safety Board. Dr. Moure-Eraso’s mismanagement of the CSB, abuse of power, employee retaliation, and lack of honesty in his communications with Congress are among the many reasons why his resignation is the right next step for this federal agency. We remain hopeful that progress will continue to be made with regards to improving leadership and morale issues within the CSB.”
BACKGROUND
- On March 18th, fourteen House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Members issued a bipartisan letter to President Obama requesting that he exercise his statutory authority to remove U.S. Chemical Safety Board Chairman Dr. Rafael Moure-Eraso as well as two senior staff members. [letter]
- On March 04, 2015 the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing to review current managements issues within the Chemical Safety Board and identify reforms necessary to improve morale and productivity within the agency. [link to hearing].
An independent analysis of the CSB found that the agency suffers from: lack of trust in senior leadership, poor communication, ineffective goal setting, lack of standard procedure, and lack of follow up by senior leadership. (page 31, U.S. Chemical Safety Board Organizational Development Consultation, February 12, 2015) [full report]
