Congress must act to keep the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) from losing its quorum on October 18. We need YOUR help to get them to take action in the pending Continuing Resolution to keep the government running!
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is an independent agency within the executive branch of the Federal Government. (https://www.dnfsb.gov/) The DNFSB is chartered with the responsibility to provide recommendations and advice to the Secretary of Energy regarding public health and safety issues at Department of Energy (DOE) defense nuclear facilities, including with respect to the health and safety of employees and contractors and the nearby communities.
Congress established the Board in 1988 in response to longtime, ongoing concerns about the level of health and safety protection that DOE was providing the public and workers at defense nuclear facilities, including concerns from Alliance for Nuclear Accountability (ANA) groups. We would not know about the many DOE nuclear safety problems without the Safety Board.
There are five positions on the Board for experts in the field of nuclear safety with demonstrated competence and knowledge relevant to its independent investigative and oversight functions. However, since early 2025, the Board has been reduced to just two members, Mr. Thomas A. Summers (a Republican nominee whose term ends on October 18, 2025), and Dr. Patricia L. Lee. The Board currently has a temporary one-year statutory quorum. Since there is no indication that Mr. Summers might be allowed to extend his term, the Board may be down to one person after October, and will then lack a quorum. Without its quorum, the DNFSB can not carry out its mission effectively.
Congress must take action to protect nuclear safety by preserving DNFSB’s quorum!
Here’s how you can help:
Congress is in the process of negotiating a new Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government for FY 2026. The CR should contain a provision to enable the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board to continue in its current capacity. The provision is a temporary measure only until the Administration and Senate can nominate and confirm additional Board Members. Take action now to urge Chuck Shumer (Senate Minority Leader) and other Senators to protect the DNFSB!
Contact Senator Martin Heinrich through his official website, his Washington, D.C. office, or any of his New Mexico State offices:
“Contact” page on his official website: heinrich.senate.gov/contact/write-martin
Washington, D.C. office:
Address: 709 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5521
Santa Fe Office:
123 E Marcy St, Suite 103, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: (505) 988-6647
Albuquerque Office:
400 Gold Avenue SW, Ste. 1080, Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 346-6601
Contact Senator Ben Ray Luján through his official website, his Washington, D.C. office, or any of his New Mexico State offices:
“Contact” page on his official website: www.lujan.senate.gov/contact/
Washington, D.C. office:
Address: 498 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6621
Santa Fe Office:
120 S. Federal Place, Suite 302, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: (505) 230-7040
Albuquerque Office:
500 Marquette Ave NW, Suite 1460, Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 337-7023
