Press Release - Congresswoman Laura Richardson

For Immediate Release
November 6, 2009

Contact: Jeff Billington
(202) 225-7924

Congresswoman Richardson Scores an Amendment in the Legislation to Improve Safety and Security in the Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson acted to protect the well-being of hundreds of thousands of people in her district and millions more across the nation by voting to approve the Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009. The legislation protects the nation by making critical infrastructure more secure, enhancing security at chemical facilities and helping to rebuild the economy. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a 230-193 vote and now goes to the Senate for its approval, it will then be sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Congresswoman Richardson, who sits on the influential Homeland Security Committee and has garnered the respect of her colleagues on the committee in less than one year, was successful in getting a whistleblower protection provision included into the bill. The provision authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to impose civil penalties on employers who retaliate against employees for reporting safety concerns to regulatory authorities.

“It is the employees of these chemical facilities who operate as our most accurate and knowledgeable ‘First Preventers,’” Congresswoman Richardson said. “They are necessary in playing a proactive role in preventing accidents and security breaches; and for that we must provide them with the assurance that they will not be penalized for reporting irregularities, incompetence or any act that might jeopardize the safety of the workers and the surrounding communities where we live.”

The 37^th Congressional District includes several locations that will benefit from the legislation, including four major oil refineries and several gas treatment and petrochemical facilities. This bill provides safety to those working at chemical facilities, those living near them and those that depend on the resources and products they provide. Congresswoman Richardson’s whistleblower legislation sends out a powerful deterring message and protection to those who manage these facilities and encourages their efforts to sustain our communities and our nation.”

Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California’s 37^th Congressional District. She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security. Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrook and Signal Hill.

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