Scientific Integrity Legislative Priorities for 2009
UCS is working to restore scientific integrity to federal policy making. Our bipartisan agenda will have minimal costs but will have major positive impacts: effective federal agencies that protect the public health and safety, retention and recruitment of the best and brightest scientists to public service, and restored morale and productivity.
The reforms we advocate have never been more urgently needed. Across a wide range of issues—from childhood lead poisoning to global warming—science has been manipulated, distorted and suppressed. Indeed, of the nearly 3,400 federal scientists at nine federal agencies who responded to UCS questionnaires over the past three years, more than 1,400 scientists reported that they feared retaliation for openly discussing their respective agencies’ mission and work. The new President has announced his commitment to independent science, but a culture of secrecy and suppression at federal agencies also will require systemic change.
Protect Government Scientists — Federal scientists who report efforts to alter or suppress research or technical information are vulnerable to retaliation, and many federal scientists trying to protect the public from unsafe drugs, the environmental consequences of mining, or the dangers of toxic chemicals, have been demoted or even fired. Congress must pass strong, comprehensive whistleblower legislation that specifically includes protection from retaliation for federal scientists who expose efforts to alter or suppress research or technical information.
Increase Transparency in Federal Decision-making — When Congress reauthorizes federal agencies, or creates new agencies or agency programs, it must ensure that their operations are conducted as transparently as possible. The public has a right to know how agencies conduct their business, who tries to influence agency decisions, and the scientific basis for agency regulations. Members of Congress also should hold the administration and agency heads accountable for agency communication policies that respect the right of federal scientists to discuss their research as private citizens, to speak to journalists directly, and to review for accuracy any public document that is based on their research.
Ensure Independent Scientific Advice — Nearly 1,000 scientific advisory committees advise federal agencies on matters ranging from clean air and drug safety to national security. Yet the independence of many of these committees has been compromised because committee members have financial conflicts of interest. Congress should reform the Federal Advisory Committee Act in order to reduce conflicts of interest, increase public access to the advisory committee process and nominations of committee members, and close loopholes that allow special interests to advise federal officials without public scrutiny.
Exercise Oversight — Congress should use confirmation hearings, the appropriations process and other legislative strategies to ensure that federal agencies operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
For more information contact:
Celia Wexler
Washington Representative
cwexler@ucsusa.org
Karly Kaufman
Legislative Assistant
kkaufman@ucsusa.org
