Federal agencies would be required to adopt written scientific integrity policies

What does this do?

Senate bill S 4545 would require every federal agency that funds, conducts, or oversees scientific research to create a written scientific integrity policy within 90 days of enactment and have it approved by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. These policies must prohibit suppressing findings, pressuring scientists to alter results for political reasons, and retaliating against researchers who refuse. Agencies must publish policies online, train employees, and report annually on complaints filed and their outcomes.

Who does it affect?

Federal scientists, engineers, and contractors working on government-funded research are most directly affected, along with the agencies that employ or fund them, such as NASA, the EPA, and the NIH. Anyone who relies on government science to shape public policy on health, the environment, or national security is indirectly affected.

Why does it matter?

If an official outside the formal process overrules a Scientific Integrity Officer, the agency must notify Congress within 30 days, creating a new oversight mechanism over internal disputes. Two years after passage, the Government Accountability Office would conduct an independent review of agency compliance, and each agency policy must be renewed every five years.

Where does it stand?