On the recordMay 17, 2012
I appreciate the gentleman for yielding. I rise to express my concern that an amendment offered by Mr. Turner that is contained in the en bloc amendments does not cure provisions in the underlying bill that weaken the enforcement of worker health and safety and that create a self-regulation regime for contractors at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which, I believe, will place profit above safety. Section 3115 would move the enforcement of worker health and safety from DOE's Office of Health, Safety and Security to the National Nuclear Security Administration. Additionally, the legislation restricts the oversight authority of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, which is a board that has played a vital role in independently addressing worker safety and whistleblower issues at large DOE projects. To support my position, I would quote from this year's House Committee on Appropriations report accompanying the fiscal year 2013 energy and water bill: The committee believes that having an independent assessment capability at the Department is important and supports the role of HSS. Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
