Advancing the Scientific Integrity Act

The Union of Concerned Scientists advocates for the Scientific Integrity Act (H.R. 1106) to codify protections for federal scientists and ensure that independent science informs US policy. The brief highlights a history of political interference, noting 326 violations between 2001 and 2024, and argues that such interference endangers public safety and disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

• The Union of Concerned Scientists documented 326 instances of science violations within US presidential administrations between 2001 and 2024. Common tactics used to undermine science include the selective editing of data or public documents, restricting scientist communication, reducing staff capacity, and appointing individuals with conflicts of interest to science advisory committees.
• Political interference in government science can lead to the weakening of health and safety protections, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized communities. An example cited is 'Sharpiegate' in September 2019, where NOAA scientists were censored by political officials after contradicting President Trump's false claims regarding a Category 5 hurricane's path, which caused public panic and diverted resources.
• The Scientific Integrity Act (H.R. 1106), sponsored by Representative Tonko (NY), seeks to codify scientific integrity protections at the national level. The act would require federal agencies that direct or fund public science to maintain clear scientific integrity principles and ensure that policy is determined by science without interference from ideology, political influence, or financial conflicts of interest.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2025). Advancing the Scientific Integrity Act. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/Advancing_the_Scientific_Integrity_Act.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Advancing the Scientific Integrity Act. 2025. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/Advancing_the_Scientific_Integrity_Act.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Advancing the Scientific Integrity Act |date=April 2025 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/Advancing_the_Scientific_Integrity_Act.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2025advancing, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Advancing the Scientific Integrity Act}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/Advancing_the_Scientific_Integrity_Act.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }