What you can do
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed new rules to monitor the social media of all immigrants to the United States. To oppose this rule, submit a public comment here. Comments must be received on or before this Wednesday, October 18, when the new rules go into effect.
Trump's NOAA and CEQ nominees draw pushback from senators, former officials
On October 12, President Trump nominated AccuWeather CEO Barry Myers to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If confirmed by the Senate, Myers would be the first NOAA administrator since 1981 to hold no science degrees. AccuWeather, which relies heavily on National Weather Service (NWS) data, has previously lobbied for restrictions on public distribution of NWS weather data to increase profits for private companies using these data, and Myers supported then-Senator Rick Santorum's (R-PA) 2005 efforts to partially privatize NWS services. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) expressed concern about Myers' possible conflict of interest if confirmed for this position.
Also on October 12, Trump nominated climate skeptic Kathleen Hartnett-White to be chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Hartnett-White has attacked both climate scientists and the Supreme Court's decision that carbon dioxide emissions can be regulated by the Clean Air Act. She is now a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank with a board of directors that includes oil company executives. The CEQ, founded in 1970, coordinates the efforts of all agencies involved in environmental policy, and is also charged with assessing environmental impacts of federal projects. Three former CEQ officials have sent a letter accusing the Trump administration of retooling the CEQ to rubber-stamp environmental impact reviews at the expense of science-based environmental protection. Hartnett-White's appointment must also be confirmed by the Senate; meanwhile, CEQ's staff has been reduced under the Trump administration.
Trump attacks NBC, threatens broadcast licenses
On October 11, after news reports of his alleged clash with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, President Trump lashed out at news networks in the first of a series of angry tweets, writing "[At] what point is it appropriate to challenge their License [sic]?" Later that day, Trump again tweeted a threat to revoke broadcast licenses in retaliation for negative stories about him. (The FCC grants licenses not to entire networks, but to individual TV stations; the President does not have the authority to revoke these licenses.) Trump later said he had no plans to challenge broadcast licenses, but Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), and other Congressional Democrats asked FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to condemn Trump's remarks. Schatz later remarked, "[The] FCC must show that it is loyal to the law, not the president, and make clear that it rejects this kind of interference." On October 17, Pai affirmed that the FCC does not revoke licenses based on the content of news broadcasts.
House on Recess
The House of Representatives is on recess this week. The Senate returned to session on October 16.
Quick takes
- The Department of the Interior is preparing to lift a ban on construction in Federal wilderness areas and permit a new 12-mile road through Alaska's Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Proponents of the road say that it will better connect small-town residents with their airport; opponents cite both environmental damage and the limited usefulness of a new road in a storm-prone area.
- Is the Supreme Court allergic to math? FiveThirtyEight explores the Court's reluctance to consider statistics and empirical evidence and the implications for legal decisions.
Have comments or something to add? Contact the RISE Stronger Science & Technology Policy Working Group at [email protected].