SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Over 25,000 Scientists, Science Supporters and 28 Organizations that Support Scientific Integrity Implore Members of Congress to Defend Science, Facts and Transparency
Jan 13, 2025
Scientists are urging members of Congress to use their legislative power to defend science, fact-based policymaking and bedrock science-based policies that protect the public health and well-being of all people.
Today, in the face of the incoming president's agenda, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) sent a petition signed by 25,219 scientists, experts and science supporters to every member of Congress asking them to stand up against attempts to politicize, eliminate or diminish scientific roles, agencies and federal research.
At the same time, a coalition of 28 organizations that support scientific integrity sent an open letter to 99 U.S. Senators, some who will play a significant role in the confirmation of federal agency nominees. The letter asked them to ensure nominees are only confirmed if they have the necessary qualifications to succeed in their roles, do not have conflicts of interest, accept established science related to their agency’s mission and value the role of rigorous science, free from political interference, in government decision making.
Federal scientists assess the safety of medicines, help communities more effectively recover from natural disasters, ensure our air is clean and our water drinkable, and so much more.
In the first Trump administration, UCS documented more than 200 attacks on science by the administration with serious consequences, including using faulty science to justify restrictions on birth control, dangerous pollutants associated with lung damage, birth defects and death, and shutting down studies examining how common chemicals impact children.
Looking ahead to the next four years, President-elect Trump has vowed to fire scientists, throw out science-based policies, dismantle scientific agencies and, slash policies that protect scientific research from censorship and suppression.
“Rolling back science-based policies and silencing scientists has the potential to turn back the clock on the immense progress science has made over past decades, jeopardizing public health, economic stability, national security, and the future livability of the climate,” said Dr. Jennifer Jones, director of UCS’ Center for Science and Democracy.
That’s why 99 organizations and 25,219 scientists and science supporters came together to ask Congress to defend against Trump’s anti-science actions.
“Protecting science means protecting people—full stop,” said Jones. “The broad consensus among scientists demonstrates the urgency we all feel to protect independent science in government decision making.”
In addition, UCS and the 99 organizations urge policymakers and the public to stand with scientists in their demand that the Trump administration respect facts and create policies that tackle climate change, invest in research and protect all communities.
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, The U.S. is on a fast track to authoritarianism like nothing I've ever seen. Meanwhile, corporate news outlets are utterly capitulating to Trump, twisting their coverage to avoid drawing his ire while lining up to stuff cash in his pockets. That's why I believe that Common Dreams is doing the best and most consequential reporting that we've ever done. Our small but mighty team is a progressive reporting powerhouse, covering the news every day that the corporate media never will. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. And to ignite change for the common good. Now here's the key piece that I want all our readers to understand: None of this would be possible without your financial support. That's not just some fundraising cliche. It's the absolute and literal truth. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. Will you donate now to help power the nonprofit, independent reporting of Common Dreams? Thank you for being a vital member of our community. Together, we can keep independent journalism alive when it’s needed most. - Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Scientists are urging members of Congress to use their legislative power to defend science, fact-based policymaking and bedrock science-based policies that protect the public health and well-being of all people.
Today, in the face of the incoming president's agenda, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) sent a petition signed by 25,219 scientists, experts and science supporters to every member of Congress asking them to stand up against attempts to politicize, eliminate or diminish scientific roles, agencies and federal research.
At the same time, a coalition of 28 organizations that support scientific integrity sent an open letter to 99 U.S. Senators, some who will play a significant role in the confirmation of federal agency nominees. The letter asked them to ensure nominees are only confirmed if they have the necessary qualifications to succeed in their roles, do not have conflicts of interest, accept established science related to their agency’s mission and value the role of rigorous science, free from political interference, in government decision making.
Federal scientists assess the safety of medicines, help communities more effectively recover from natural disasters, ensure our air is clean and our water drinkable, and so much more.
In the first Trump administration, UCS documented more than 200 attacks on science by the administration with serious consequences, including using faulty science to justify restrictions on birth control, dangerous pollutants associated with lung damage, birth defects and death, and shutting down studies examining how common chemicals impact children.
Looking ahead to the next four years, President-elect Trump has vowed to fire scientists, throw out science-based policies, dismantle scientific agencies and, slash policies that protect scientific research from censorship and suppression.
“Rolling back science-based policies and silencing scientists has the potential to turn back the clock on the immense progress science has made over past decades, jeopardizing public health, economic stability, national security, and the future livability of the climate,” said Dr. Jennifer Jones, director of UCS’ Center for Science and Democracy.
That’s why 99 organizations and 25,219 scientists and science supporters came together to ask Congress to defend against Trump’s anti-science actions.
“Protecting science means protecting people—full stop,” said Jones. “The broad consensus among scientists demonstrates the urgency we all feel to protect independent science in government decision making.”
In addition, UCS and the 99 organizations urge policymakers and the public to stand with scientists in their demand that the Trump administration respect facts and create policies that tackle climate change, invest in research and protect all communities.
Scientists are urging members of Congress to use their legislative power to defend science, fact-based policymaking and bedrock science-based policies that protect the public health and well-being of all people.
Today, in the face of the incoming president's agenda, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) sent a petition signed by 25,219 scientists, experts and science supporters to every member of Congress asking them to stand up against attempts to politicize, eliminate or diminish scientific roles, agencies and federal research.
At the same time, a coalition of 28 organizations that support scientific integrity sent an open letter to 99 U.S. Senators, some who will play a significant role in the confirmation of federal agency nominees. The letter asked them to ensure nominees are only confirmed if they have the necessary qualifications to succeed in their roles, do not have conflicts of interest, accept established science related to their agency’s mission and value the role of rigorous science, free from political interference, in government decision making.
Federal scientists assess the safety of medicines, help communities more effectively recover from natural disasters, ensure our air is clean and our water drinkable, and so much more.
In the first Trump administration, UCS documented more than 200 attacks on science by the administration with serious consequences, including using faulty science to justify restrictions on birth control, dangerous pollutants associated with lung damage, birth defects and death, and shutting down studies examining how common chemicals impact children.
Looking ahead to the next four years, President-elect Trump has vowed to fire scientists, throw out science-based policies, dismantle scientific agencies and, slash policies that protect scientific research from censorship and suppression.
“Rolling back science-based policies and silencing scientists has the potential to turn back the clock on the immense progress science has made over past decades, jeopardizing public health, economic stability, national security, and the future livability of the climate,” said Dr. Jennifer Jones, director of UCS’ Center for Science and Democracy.
That’s why 99 organizations and 25,219 scientists and science supporters came together to ask Congress to defend against Trump’s anti-science actions.
“Protecting science means protecting people—full stop,” said Jones. “The broad consensus among scientists demonstrates the urgency we all feel to protect independent science in government decision making.”
In addition, UCS and the 99 organizations urge policymakers and the public to stand with scientists in their demand that the Trump administration respect facts and create policies that tackle climate change, invest in research and protect all communities.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.