Senators hit Obama admin for ‘collapse’ of federal scientific integrity

[Marshall]

Senators hit Obama admin for ‘collapse’ of federal scientific integrity

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Steve Milloy| 3 Comments
Sens. David Vitter and James Inhofe, and Rep. Darrell Issa write to Obama science chief John Holdren complaining about the administration’s failure to live up to its own scientific integrity standards.
Here’s the media release:

Vitter, Inhofe and Issa Want Proof of “Sound” Science from White House Regarding Multiple Agency Actions

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) along with U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa (R-Calif.) today sent a letter demanding answers from the White House on the Obama administration’s methods of achieving sound science in determining major federal actions. The members of Congress are also seeking insight into the White House’s response to scientific misconduct at multiple federal agencies on policies that greatly affect the struggling economy.
“We’ve seen facts manipulated and science ignored across the administration while they’ve developed policies with huge negative effects on the economy,” Sen. Vitter said. “We want the public to be aware of the administration’s misconduct, but we also want agencies to be transparent and explain their methods.”
“Obama Science Advisor John Holdren has said that the Administration would make decisions based on the best possible science because, as the President has stated, ‘The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decision.’ Yet, it is clear that the Obama Administration cannot be trusted, as we continue to uncover more and more examples of faulty science being used as the justification for policies and increased regulations that will destroy jobs and harm our economy,” said Sen. Inhofe.
“It is imperative that federal government policy decisions reflect the accuracy of the underlying science,” said Rep. Issa. “By shining the light of transparency on processes that have failed, we can ensure that government agencies will refocus efforts on maintaining the highest standards of scientific testing and analysis.”
In the letter addressed to Dr. John Holdren, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy for the White House, the members of Congress point out scientific misfeasance at the Departments of Interior and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.