Warner, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Integrity of Public Science

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined a group of 20 senators in introducing legislation to protect public scientific research and reports from the influence of political and special interests. “Nonpartisan science is critical to innovative R&D, medical research advancement, and our nation’s competitive edge,” said Sen. Warner. “As we continue to see independent federal agencies be attacked by the Trump administration, I’m proud to sponsor this legislation that will strengthen safeguards to protect science agencies from political tampering.” The Scientific Integrity Act will: Formalize and reinforce policies that require federal agencies that conduct or fund scientific research to maintain clear scientific integrity principles; Affirm that science dictates policy, and that scientific research should be free from the pressure of politics, ideology, or financial influence; and Hold public scientists to high standards and guarantee their rights and protections under the law. The Trump administration has repeatedly undermined scientific integrity, including by removing more than a dozen independent inspector generals, erasing and manipulating essential public health data, and restricting communications from the Department of Health and Human Services which stopped the publishing of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for the first time in 60 years. In addition to Sen. Warner, the legislation was sponsored by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY). The text of the bill is available here .