The chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and of its subcommittee overseeing the Chemical and Safety Hazard Investigation Board have asked the White House to install highly capable leadership at the agency.
Reps. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. and Greg Gianforte, R-N.D., said the agency has been following a “troubled course” in recent years, recounting a series of investigations by that committee, auditors and press reports on the agency’s management. In a letter to the White House, they focused on a recent IG report stating that career staff “are frustrated and feel disrespected”; they cite “harassment, devaluing technical staff and removing vigor from the investigative process” as prime sources of their dissatisfaction.
The number of investigative staff has dropped by half even though the agency has sufficient funds, and the ongoing controversies have “measurably affected the CBP’s ability to hire and retain employees,” their letter said.
They said that with two of the five board seats vacant, the administration has a “crucial opportunity” to improve the agency’s management.
