House Bill Would Prevent Political Tampering With Federal Research

A pair of prominent House Democrats has introduced legislation that would prevent government officials from tampering with federal research and scientific policymaking.

The Restore Scientific Integrity to Federal Research and Policymaking Act calls for the implementation of strict policies to prevent government officials from influencing scientific research -- a problem that the bill's sponsors contend has proliferated under the Bush administration.

"From abstinence education to the protection of endangered whales, the Bush administration has twisted and distorted science to further a narrow political agenda," said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee. "We need to act now to protect the scientific integrity of federal agencies." Waxman co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), the ranking Democrat on the House Science Committee.

The legislation would implement the following policies: prohibit litmus tests based on political affiliation for appointments to scientific advisory committees; block tampering with scientific analysis; outlaw censorship of scientific reports; stop dissemination of scientific information known to be false or misleading; and extend whistleblower protections to federal employees who expose scientific manipulations.

To view a copy of the bill, go to http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20050216120440-04639.pdf (http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20050216120440-04639.pdf).