Summary: To amend the America COMPETES Act to establish certain scientific integrity policies for Federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research, and for other purposes. Cosponsors (Partisan)
ANGIE CRAIG’S POSITION: Representative Craig cosponsored the bill on 7/16/19.
STATUS: Introduced 3/13/19 by Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20].
INFORMATION RELATED TO THE BILL:
- “Independent, rigorous scientific research is one of the most powerful tools we have for advancing the public interest and keeping the American people safe,” said Rep. Tonko. “President Trump’s multi-agency assault on environmental standards has hinged on efforts to distort, bury and even rewrite credible public scientific findings, including his absurd denial of the growing climate crisis and efforts to cover up evidence that the American people are being exposed to dangerous toxins. Protecting the integrity of that science is one of the most important ways we can hold this President and his administration accountable. Distorting or suppressing public science undermines our ability to protect the health and safety of the American people.” (Source: Rep. Tonko, Press Release, 3/13/19)
- Since Trump’s election, the federal government has mounted over 200 documented acts of interference or suppression of science and scientists. Over three-quarters of the instances targeted climate scientists, whom Trump has said he doesn’t “believe.” And these are only the events reported in the news. Scientists face pressure daily to conform their activities to Trump’s ignorant world view. In a survey of federal scientists, 631 scientists reported that under the Trump administration, they were told to omit the phrase “climate change” from their work. Another 703 federal scientists said they self-censored by avoiding working on climate change or using the term. (Source: CREDO Action)
ADDITIONAL DETAIL: