After seven years, the Scientific Integrity Act has made its way back to the Senate, spearheaded by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hi.). This legislation complements the House version of the Scientific Integrity Act, which has been gaining traction with increasing numbers of cosponsors since Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) introduced it early last year. With the bill now present in both chambers, it stands a chance to advance and provide enhanced protections for federal scientists, whose work is crucial to all of us.
Here’s an overview of the legislative journey ahead and how you can contribute to the effort.
What the Scientific Integrity Act Does
The Scientific Integrity Act aims to shield federal science and scientists from political influence by mandating agencies to establish and maintain robust scientific integrity standards. This would ensure that policy decisions are informed by independent, evidence-based science, safeguard scientists’ rights, and enhance accountability for power abuses. By codifying these protections, the Act seeks to prevent them from being dismantled by administrations opposed to science.
The Trump administration exemplifies the risks to federal science, with 562 attacks on science identified by UCS researchers since January 2025, of which about 33% potentially violated scientific integrity. Such incidents include the political delay of scientific reports, the withdrawal of peer-reviewed studies, and the redoing of analyses to fit policy preferences. The Scientific Integrity Act would establish vital safeguards to prevent such actions from becoming routine.
Federal scientists play a critical role in monitoring severe weather, studying disease prevention, and analyzing pollution impacts to ensure laws like the Clean Air Act are effective. This work must remain free from political interference, censorship, retaliation, or intimidation. Without a solid foundation of science and evidence, federal policy risks being shaped by ideology or corporate financial interests, endangering public health and safety. Scientific integrity policies protect not just scientists, but everyone.
The Legislative Process
With the bill introduced by Senator Schatz, it will be sent to a committee, likely the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, as in 2019. For the bill to proceed to the Senate floor, the committee needs to:
- Organize a hearing for witness testimonies supporting or opposing the bill.
- Schedule a markup session for amendments to the bill.
- Vote on whether to advance the amended bill to the Senate floor.
These steps pose challenges, notably the decision to hold a committee hearing, which depends on the majority of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee led by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tex.). A hearing would allow the law’s supporters to present their case and help lawmakers understand the need for robust scientific integrity protections.
This is why it is crucial for supporters to voice their support now.
The Scientific Integrity Act is key to ensuring federal scientists can communicate their findings transparently and that the public can trust government science. Lawmakers need to recognize that scientific integrity is not optional; it is essential. Supporters must urge Congress to safeguard science from political interference and give this bill the attention it deserves.
The House Connection
With the Senate bill now introduced, the Scientific Integrity Act has a renewed chance to gain momentum in both chambers. The House version, led by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), is with the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. As of this blog’s publication, 132 House Members, including one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), have co-sponsored it. Despite this support, the House bill has not progressed since its introduction.
The Senate’s involvement changes the dynamics, offering a real opportunity for the Act to advance through committees in both chambers. However, this progress requires advocates nationwide to encourage their Congressional representatives to prioritize and act on the bill.
Though the path forward is challenging, this moment is significant. UCS has long worked towards the Senate introduction of this bill, which would not have been possible without the involvement of scientists and supporters across the nation. At UCS, we understand the importance of independent federal science and the risks posed when it is undermined. The Scientific Integrity Act would be a substantial step in protecting the scientific research and policies we rely on. Success is possible—but your help is needed.
