Scientific Integrity Progress Report
The Obama Administration at 100 Days and Beyond
See the progress made to date
View the reforms that are still needed
As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama made many specific promises to stop political interference in science. So has the Obama administration’s action matched its rhetoric?
This progress report explores the steps the administration has taken so far and lays out goals it must pursue to create a thriving federal scientific enterprise. The progress report also details congressional action that has helped or hindered executive branch reform.
Restoring scientific integrity to federal policymaking is complex and takes our persistent and energetic engagement. UCS serves both as an expert resource for Congress and the administration and as a catalyst to create the environment that allows President Obama and his administration to take bold action. Help us create transformational change by joining the UCS action network or the scientific integrity scientist network.
This progress report is color-coded in the following categories:
- General Actions on Scientific Integrity
- Protecting Government Scientists
- Creating More Transparency in Government
- Reforming the Regulatory Process
- Improving Scientific Advice
- Enhancing Monitoring of Data and Enforcement of Laws
February 14, 2008
Scientific Integrity Blueprint Released: UCS releases Federal Science and the Public Good, a report recommending steps the next administration can take to restore scientific integrity to federal policymaking. Accompanying the report is a scientist statement calling on the government to "create conditions conducive to a thriving federal scientific enterprise."
August 30, 2008
Obama Pledges Reform: Candidate Obama responds to Science Debate 2008 questions, pledging support for scientist whistleblowers and committing to "restore the basic principle that government decisions should be based on the best-available, scientifically-valid evidence and not on the ideological predispositions of agency officials or political appointees."
September 25, 2008
Obama Releases Science Agenda: Candidate Obama releases his science agenda with restoring scientific integrity to federal policymaking at the top of the list.
October 20, 2008
Obama Supports EPA Scientists: Candidate Obama sends a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees stating that "I strongly oppose attempts by the Bush Administration to thwart publication of EPA researchers' scientific findings, as well as the attempt to eliminate the agency's library system."
November and December, 2008
UCS Meets Transition Teams: UCS meets with the presidential transition teams to present our recommendations for the Obama administration’s first 100 days.
December 16, 2008
UCS New Year’s Resolutions: UCS releases ten New Year’s Resolutions for Federal Government Science based on Federal Science and the Public Good, our blueprint for restoring scientific integrity to federal policymaking.
December 16, 2008
Obama Addresses Science: In announcing his intention to nominate Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Chu as Secretary of Energy, President Obama says "His appointment should send a signal to all that my administration will value science. We will make decisions based on facts, and we understand that the facts demand bold action."
December 17, 2008
Science Advisor Appointed: President-elect Obama announces his intention to name John Holdren to the position of science advisor to the president and restores the position to its previous status under Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton. "Promoting science isn't just about providing resources—it's about protecting free and open inquiry," said Obama. "It's about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted or obscured by politics or ideology. It's about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when it's inconvenient—especially when it's inconvenient."
January 3, 2009
Whistleblower Legislation Fails: Although whistleblower legislation passed both the House and Senate, Congress adjourns without sending final legislation to the president for signature, setting back protections for government scientists who report political interference in their work.
January 15, 2009
Interior Secretary Confirmation: Interior Secretary nominee Ken Salazar says that "we will review what decisions have been made and see if there is action necessary to correct decisions to make sure they are in compliance with the law and in compliance with the science."
January 20, 2009
Inaugural Address: Just a few minutes after being sworn in as president, Barack Obama pledges to "restore science to its rightful place" in his inaugural address.
January 21, 2009
Government Transparency: President Obama addresses his first memo to "Transparency and Open Government," stating that "Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in government."
January 23, 2009
EPA Fishbowl Memo: On her first day in office, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson issues a memo to employees detailing three values she will try to uphold: respecting science, upholding the rule of law, and conducting business in a transparent manner. "When scientific judgments are suppressed, misrepresented or distorted by political agendas, Americans can lose faith in their government to provide strong public health and environmental protection," she wrote. "Policy decisions should not be disguised as scientific findings."
February 3, 2009
Reducing White House Power: President Obama rescinds President Bush's Executive Order 13422, which made science-based regulation more difficult and made science more susceptible to political interference.
February 6, 2009
Accessing Scientific Advice: Administrator Jackson announces the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will conduct a review of the Bush administration's decision to deny California permission to set standards on greenhouse gas emissions, stating "It is imperative that we get this decision right, and base it on the best available science and a thorough understanding of the law."
February 12, 2009
Transparency at NOAA: Administrator nominee Jane Lubchenco pledges to "bring transparency, fairness, integrity and accountability to the job, using a consultative and collaborative approach" to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
February 13, 2009 Limiting Science Advice: Democratic and Republican Senators place political "holds" on Dr. John Holdren and Dr. Jane Lubchenko, nominated to top administration science posts, preventing them from assuming their responsibilities and delaying their confirmation by 35 days.
February 26, 2009
Regulatory Reform: The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) solicits public comments on the administration's executive order on regulatory reform, unprecedented for an executive order, which will determine how the White House coordinates regulations that protect our health, safety, and environment. The Bush OMB interfered in agency science multiple times to prevent regulations from moving forward.
March 3, 2009
Improving Endangered Species Act Rules: President Obama directs his agencies to take steps to protect the scientific foundation of the Endangered Species Act, which was significantly weakened in the last days of the Bush administration. "For more than three decades," said the president, "The Endangered Species Act has successfully protected our nation's most threatened wildlife, and we should be looking for ways to improve it—not weaken it."
March 9, 2009
Presidential Scientific Integrity Memorandum: President Obama asks the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a plan aimed at ensuring the integrity of federal science. The memo lays out guiding principles to improve transparency in policymaking, ensure that well-qualified individuals are appointed to science positions, and protect those who expose abuse of science.
March 11, 2009
Reporting on Toxic Chemicals: In a spending bill, Congress restores the original reporting requirements of the Toxics Release Inventory, in which companies disclose what chemicals they are releasing into their local communities. The Bush administration had relaxed the reporting requirements.
March 11, 2009 Whistleblower Signing Statement: In signing a federal spending bill, President Obama issued a signing statement that sent mixed signals about his support for whistleblower protections for federal employees who report the misuse of science. The signing statement asserted that the president retains the authority to direct his agency heads to prevent the communication of certain confidential information to Congress. Obama has said he intends to use signing statements sparingly.
March 19, 2009
FOIA Reform: Attorney General Eric Holder issues a memo to the heads of executive departments and agencies providing guidance on how they should comply with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in order to "reflect out nation's fundamental commitment to open government."
March 24, 2009
Interior Confirmation Promises: Tom Strickland, nominee for assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks at the Interior Department, says in his confirmation hearing: "My commitment to you is that, if confirmed, I will work to see that the decisions of the [Fish and Wildlife] Service are based on science, not politics."
March 31, 2009
HHS Confirmation Promises: Health and Human Services (HHS) Nominee Kathleen Sebelius says that she "will work to restore trust in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the leading science based regulatory agency in the world…by sending a clear message from the top that the President and I expect key decisions at the FDA to be made on the basis of science—period."
April 2, 2009
EPA Confirmation Promises: Gina McCarthy, nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation, tells a Senate committee: "I am sitting here today not because I am a scientist, but because, like President Obama and Administrator Jackson, I intend to leave the science to the scientists."
April 17, 2009
EPA Regulations: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act on the grounds that they pose a threat to human health and welfare.
April 27, 2009
Scientific Integrity and Democracy: In a speech before the National Academy of Sciences, President Obama connects scientific integrity with our nation's future. "Our progress as a nation—and our values as a nation—are rooted in free and open inquiry. To undermine scientific integrity is to undermine our democracy."
April 28, 2009
Protecting Endangered Species: In a partial victory for endangered species, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke use their authority to roll back controversial changes to the scientific foundation of the Endangered Species Act, responding to the concerns of thousands of concerned scientists and citizens. The secretaries have yet to roll back other rules that undermine the ability of science to protect species and face a May 9 deadline to do so.
May 21, 2009
Public Access to Govenment Data: The White House rolls out data.gov, a site that the Obama administration claims will eventually provide access to all data generated by federal agencies.
May 21, 2009
EPA Restores Science to Air Pollution Standards: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restores the ability of EPA scientists and an independent science advisory committee to help set air pollution standards. Controversial Bush administration rules had eliminated the independent assessment by scientific experts and injected political determinations much earlier in the decision-making process.
May 21, 2009
EPA Changes Toxic Chemical Assessment Process: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increases transparency, accountability and efficiency in the way the government assesses toxic chemicals. But the White House Office of Management and Budget may still wield the authority to interfere in the agency's scientific analysis.
June 16, 2009 Obama Refuses to Disclose White House Visitors: The Obama Administration refuses to release White House visitor logs, prohibiting the public from knowing who is at the table influencing federal government decisions.
June 30, 2009
EPA Grants California Right to Limit Global Warming Pollution: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves a waiver for California to impose stricter air pollution standards for motor vehicles than those set by the federal government. This action reverses the Bush administration’s position and upholds the authority granted to California under the Clean Air Act.
July 8, 2009
OSTP Seeks Open Government Strategies: Following President Obama’s March 2009 directive, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) wrapped up an online process that engaged the public in generating open government strategies.
July 22, 2009
EPA Considers Improving Air Pollution Monitoring for Lead: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces that it will reconsider air pollution monitoring requirements for lead in urban areas and near industrial sources. With adequate data, the EPA will be better able to fully protect the public from lead and other harmful air pollutants.
July 22, 2009
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Confirmation Promises: Samuel Hamilton, nominated to be Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, tells Senate Committee: "I also believe that our conservation work must be driven by sound science; and that the activities we undertake for species on the ground at individual project sites must strategically support achievement of our conservation goals at broader scales, such as landscapes, major eco-regions, or entire species' ranges."
July 24, 2009
FDA Holds Listening Session on Transparency: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) holds a public meeting to explore ways to create more transparency at the agency. Unfortunately, a recent law requiring FDA to be more transparent, the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007, has yet to be fully implemented.
August 5, 2009
EPA Revisits Flawed Toxic Chemical Analysis: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opens a public comment period to reevaluate the effects of the chemical perchlorate in drinking water. The Bush administration allowed other federal agencies to compromise an earlier EPA analysis.
August 7, 2009
EPA Instructs Staff to Cooperate with Investigators: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator issues a memo instructing EPA staff to respond to all requests made by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and clearly states that staffers do not need to pass information through managers before they speak to investigators. This memo rescinds a 2008 directive that created significant barriers to this communication.
August 21, 2009
Promoting an Ethical Culture at Interior: Department of Interior (DOI) Secretary, Ken Salazar, issues a memo designed to enhance and promote ethical conduct within the DOI. The memo, which gives the Departmental Ethics office increased financial resources and officer authority, is in part a response to recent ethical scandals at Interior.
August 31, 2009
EPA Seeks Input for Enforcement Priorities: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creates a new blog where the public can submit suggestions for future enforcement priorities at the agency.
September 9, 2009
Food Safety Website Launched: In a joint effort, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launch foodsafety.gov. The website is designed to give consumers the latest information about food recalls and other food safety information in one easily accessible location.
September 16, 2009
Healthcare Bill Addresses Company Payments to Physicians: To increase accountability and transparency, the Senate Finance Committee includes a provision in "America's Healthy Future Act," requiring medical companies to disclose payments or gifts they make to physicians or hospitals.
September 16, 2009
EPA to Reconsider Ozone Standards: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces it will review the current ground-level ozone air pollution standards to ensure that they adequately protect human health. The Bush administration had violated the spirit of the Clean Air Act by setting standards that were not in line with the scientific consensus.
September 22, 2009
EPA Establishes Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Program: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalizes the new mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting system and is scheduled to begin monitoring GHG emissions from large stationary sources in January 2010.
September 29th, 2009
EPA Creates Chemical Management Strategy: The Environmental Protection Agency announces a new strategy for chemical management. This strategy includes developing and publishing action plans for the chemicals of greatest concern, filling in the gaps of information in existing data, and enhanced transparency and reporting for chemicals with high production volume.
October 1, 2009
EPA Increases Transparency in Pesticide Registration Decisions: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces a new policy for new pesticide active ingredients. The agency will now add risk assessment and proposed decisions to a public docket and open a 30 day public comment period for all new pesticide active ingredients.
October 2, 2009
FDA Transparency Task Force Seeks Input: The FDA holds a second hearing on ways to create transparency at the agency.
October 13, 2009
EPA releases Suppessed Climate Report: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releases a Bush era report which found that increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions endangers human health. This science in the report, which was suppressed by the previous administration, concludes that GHG's should be regulated because climate change poses a serious risk to the country.
October 15, 2009
EPA plans stronger enforcement of the Clean Water Act: In a congressional hearing, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Lisa Jackson announced a new plan for stronger enforcement of the Clean Water Act. The plan will increase transparency and consistency of regulation, target the most serious violations and utilize technology to increase the quality of data collection and analysis.
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