Environmental Law and Policy/Governance
Safeguarding Against Distortions of Scientific Research in Federal Policymaking
Author
Melissa L. Kelly, Genna Reed, Gretchen T. Goldman, and Jacob M. Carter
Author Bios (long)

Melissa L. Kelly is Staff Director and Attorney at the University of California, Irvine School of Law’s Center for Land, Environment, and Natural Resources (CLEANR). Genna Reed is Senior Analyst in the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). Gretchen T. Goldman is Research Director of the Center for Science and Democracy at UCS. Jacob M. Carter is a Research Scientist in the Center for Science and Democracy at UCS.

Date
January 2021
Volume
51
Issue
1
Page
10014
Type
Comment(s)
Summary

The appropriate use of science in policymaking depends upon integrity in scientific research and in the ways in which that research is communicated and applied throughout the policymaking process. On May 22, 2019, the University of California, Irvine School of Law’s Center for Land, Environment, and Natural Resources (CLEANR) and the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) convened a roundtable that brought together leading scientists, scholars, advocates, and policymakers to explore potential safeguards to protect scientific research and its use in federal policymaking. Based on the discussions at that roundtable, CLEANR and UCS offered recommendations for the executive branch, the U.S. Congress, and federal agencies to better protect against conflicts of interest, and to secure and advance the role of science in policymaking. This Comment expands upon the recommendations CLEANR and UCS proposed in the September 2020 fact sheet, Conflicts of Interest at Federal Agencies: Recommendations for 2021 and Beyond.

S. 1069
Update Type
Public Law Number
Pub. L. No. 116-223
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
1
Update Volume
51
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. D1125

which would require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of NOAA, to establish a constituent-driven program to provide a digital information platform capable of efficiently integrating coastal data with decision-support tools, training, and best practices, and support the collection of priority coastal geospatial data to inform and improve local, state, regional, and federal capacities to manage the coastal region, was signed by President Trump on December 18, 2020.

S. 5080
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Finance
Sponsor Name
Menendez
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-N.J.
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
1
Update Volume
51
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. S7939

would amend the Internal Revenue Code to require oil polluters to pay the full cost of oil spills.

H.J. Res. 110
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Appropriations
Sponsor Name
Lowey
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-N.Y.
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
1
Update Volume
51
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. H7284

would  make further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2021.

H.R. 8810
Update Type
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
50
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. S7556

which would establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards and establish a national 3D Elevation Program, was passed by the Senate.

H.R. 8960
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Financial Services
Sponsor Name
Levin
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-Mich.
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
50
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. H7154

would amend the Investment Advisers Act to require large asset managers to establish sustainable investment policies.

H.R. 8948
Update Type
Committee Name
Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsor Name
Richmond
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-La.
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
50
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. H7147

would authorize the Administrator of EPA to enter into cooperative agreements with states to carry out grant programs to assist in remediation and relocation efforts relating to hazardous air pollution.

H.R. 8945
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsor Name
Neguse
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-Colo.
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
50
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. H7147

would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide flexibility with the cost share for fire management assistance.

H.R. 8935
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Energy and Commerce
Sponsor Name
Dingell
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-Mich.
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
50
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. H7147

would improve dam and hydropower safety.

S. 5022
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Sponsor Name
Van Hollen
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-Md.
Issue
2
Volume
51
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
50
Congress Number
116
Congressional Record Number
166 Cong. Rec. S7502

would establish a federal standard in order to improve the nation’s resilience to current and future flood risk.

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