Engineers Continue Supporting CSB as Congress Extends FY 2025 Funding Into 2026

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) remains in a period of uncertainty even after the end of the 43-day federal government shutdown. The agency, created under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments to investigate major chemical accidents and identify root causes, continues to operate on a temporary basis following passage of a new continuing resolution.

The White House Administration's FY 2026 budget proposal would eliminate CSB's base funding entirely and provide only limited resources to begin shutting the agency down. Congress has taken a different view: the House advanced approximately $8.2 million dollars for the agency, while the Senate approved about $14.4 million dollars, matching FY 2025 levels. Because neither bill reached the floor before the shutdown, those differences remain unresolved.

With the continuing resolution extending federal funding through January 30, 2026, CSB will remain at its FY 2025 level for the time being. Lawmakers will return to the issue early next year, when final negotiations over FY 2026 appropriations resume. The Administration's proposal still exists in the background, and the gap between House and Senate figures means the agency's long-term stability is not yet assured.

Professional engineers have remained actively engaged throughout this process. Through NSPE's grassroots alerts, members have sent hundreds of messages to Congress emphasizing the importance of preserving an independent agency responsible for investigating chemical incidents and advancing public safety. Several state societies have helped elevate the issue as well, highlighting the value of the CSB's work in communities that depend on safe chemical operations and reliable engineering oversight.

As Congress prepares for another round of appropriations negotiations in early 2026, NSPE will continue monitoring developments closely and provide timely updates to members and state societies. The engineering community's continued visibility helps ensure that the CSB's mission, and its role in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public, remains a priority as lawmakers determine the agency's future.

Join hundreds of professional engineers and other concerned stakeholders who have already spoken out. Send your message today through NSPE's Advocacy Center: