Press Releases

Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) — joined by Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Don Beyer (VA-8), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), and a total or more than 100 co-sponsors in the House — today introduced the Scientific Integrity Act, bipartisan legislation that sets clear, enforceable standards for federal agencies and federally-funded research to keep public science independent from meddling by political and special interests.

This introduction comes in the wake of an onslaught of attacks on science and scientists by the Trump Administration, including blocking communications and action of key health agencies, erasing essential public health data on CDC websites, firing independent inspectors general — the watchdogs who help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse across our government agencies, signing executive orders that deny the realities of climate change, and more.

“We pay a high price when the science that our policymakers, educators, industry leaders, and the public depend on is distorted and suppressed,” Congressman Tonko said. “Under the last Trump Administration, we experienced unprecedented manipulation of public science and, only weeks into his second term, the President has continued to deny facts and openly attack scientists and researchers whose work helps keep us, our nation, and our planet safe. As an engineer, I’ll aways fight for science. That’s why I’m reintroducing the Scientific Integrity Act, which provides much needed protections for our federal scientists, helps restore public trust, and gives us the tools we need to address and solve the many pressing challenges our communities face.”

“The foundation of our American scientific enterprise is built upon the integrity of the scientists, researchers, and the institutions in which science takes place,” said Ranking Member Lofgren (D-CA). “We saw this very foundation begin to crumble during the previous Trump administration. With databases and public information evaporating from science agency websites as we speak, science within the federal government is again in jeopardy. Now more than ever we must ensure strong scientific integrity within our federal scientific ecosystem. Science should always be free from political interference, full stop. I am grateful for Mr. Tonko’s leadership in this critical effort and proud to cosponsor this bill.”

“Scientific research in America is under attack and Congress must step up to defend it from the Trump Administration,” Congressman Beyer said. “Politicizing science in ridiculous and arbitrary ways is unacceptable, and Congress must codify a statutory requirement to maintain the highest quality of science in the federal government. Amid unprecedented political threats to our scientific community, it is critical that U.S. agencies develop scientific integrity policies now that can guide and protect their core missions in the next four years and beyond.”

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, public trust in science has eroded often due to the harmful prioritization of partisan politics over actual facts,” Congresswoman Stevens said. “The Scientific Integrity Act restores our nation’s belief in science by ensuring that science serves the public good not partisan agendas. Through strengthening researcher protections, holding agencies accountable, and increasing transparency, this legislation will ensure that American science is fact-driven, not political expedient.”

“Independent inquiry and evidence-based peer review have been part of every scientific advancement made in our country’s history,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “We must protect these basic principles so scientists and researchers can continue their work without fear of political retribution or influence. I’m pleased to join Rep. Tonko and other colleagues on the bipartisan Scientific Integrity Act to help the United States retain its leadership in research and innovation.”

“Federal scientists work to ensure people can breathe clean air and have access to clean water, safe food and medicine, and consumer products that won't harm us,” said Jen Jones, PhD, Director, Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists. “They also help protect the public from extreme weather events, which are worsening due to climate change. Importantly, federal scientists work to address the disproportionate amounts of pollution harming historically marginalized communities. We need to protect the work they’re doing for all of us. The Scientific Integrity Act would ensure that research is independent, uncensored and easily accessible to the public.” 

The Scientific Integrity Act

1. Requires federal agencies that fund or direct public science to establish & maintain clear scientific integrity principles.
2. Formalizes these policies and strengthens them with the force of law. Clarifies that science should determine policy, free from inappropriate politics, ideology, or financial conflicts of interest.
3. Holds public scientists to the highest standards while guaranteeing their rights and protections under the law.

A fact sheet of the Scientific Integrity Act can be found HERE.