Short Takes – 5-26-23

Chemical Engineer (Recent Graduate). USAJobs.gov CSB job listing. Summary: “This position is part of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. The incumbent will be responsible for chemical engineer/investigator, providing technical and analytical assistance in chemical investigations. You will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring developmental assignments to acquire knowledge and an understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the area of Chemical Engineering.” Closing date: June 20^th, 2023.

GOP conservatives fume over debt ceiling compromises. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: ““I will use every procedural tool at my disposal to impede a debt-ceiling deal that doesn’t contain substantial spending and budgetary reforms. I fear things are moving in that direction. If they do, that proposal will not face smooth sailing in the Senate,” Lee tweeted.”

What happens to Social Security checks if the government defaults? TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “William Howell, a political science professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, said the notion of older people and recipients of government benefits doomsday prepping for disruptions every time budget season comes around is symptomatic of a “dysfunctional” democracy.”

When Kevin McCarthy’s spending cuts get spelled out, even Republicans balk. LATimes.com article. Pull quote: “We got evidence of the squeeze this week, even as McCarthy, in his on-again, off-again debt ceiling negotiations with President Biden, was full of budget-cutting bravado to reporters. Just before midnight on Monday — midnight! — the House Appropriations Committee canceled its Tuesday and Wednesday meetings when voting was scheduled on the first of the dozen bills that annually fund the federal government’s operations. Those bills have to fill in the gory details of the spending cuts that Republicans left unidentified when they passed McCarthy’s debt limit bill last month.”

Updates to New Chemicals Regulations Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Federal Register EPA NPRM. Summary: “The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to the new chemicals procedural regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These amendments are intended to align the regulatory text with the amendments to TSCA's new chemicals review provisions contained in the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, enacted on June 22, 2016, improve the efficiency of EPA's review processes, and update the regulations based on existing policies and experience implementing the New Chemicals Program.” Comment deadline: July 25^th, 2023.

Hazardous Materials: Adjusting Registration and Fee Assessment Program. Federal Register PHMSA meeting notice. Summary: “PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety will hold a public meeting to solicit input on potential adjustments to the statutorily mandated hazardous materials registration and fee assessment program. The potential adjustment of fees may be necessary to fund PHMSA's national emergency preparedness grant programs at the newly authorized level in accordance with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.” Meeting date: June 28^th, 2023.