Federal agencies are implementing measures to safeguard scientific research from potential political meddling.
Maxine Joselow and Scott Dance report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new contract includes provisions allowing employees to report political meddling without fear of retribution.
- Policies to protect scientific integrity are being strengthened at NOAA and the Commerce Department.
- Advocates argue these measures are necessary but not foolproof against future political changes.
Key quote:
“It will be impossible to fully Trump-proof any agency or protect any scientist if Trump wins a new term and either the House or Senate is in Republican control. Then there will be absolutely no meaningful oversight.”
— Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Why this matters:
The integrity of scientific research, especially on climate change, is vital for informed policy-making and public trust. Safeguarding these processes from political interference ensures that decisions are based on accurate and unbiased information.
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