What you can do

  • We're happy to announce our new partnership with Science Rising, a national mobilization effort to keep science and scientists involved in the political decision-making process. They will be publicizing local pro-science events and activities as we approach the 2018 midterm elections. Check them out at their website or join the conversation on Twitter (#ScienceRising).
  • The April 14 March for Science in Washington, DC, is also sponsoring satellite marches around the world.
  • On April 20 and 21, 314 Action will hold a training session in Chicago for STEM professionals interested in running for office.
  • Change.org is circulating a petition to allow wireless users to block robocalls (see article below).

Omnibus spending bill includes large research funding increase

On March 23, despite earlier threats of a last-minute veto, President Trump signed the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress for FY18. Because of a February 2018 agreement permitting raised spending caps, the bill provides the largest increase in federal R&D spending since President Obama's 2009 stimulus package. Instead of the severe cuts proposed in the initial White House budget or the flat funding proposed by the subsequent addendum, the bill will increase the budgets of many federal science agencies above FY17 levels. Beneficiaries include the National Institutes of Health (8.3% above 2017 levels), National Science Foundation (+3.9%), Department of Energy (+15%), and NASA (+21%). The bill also explicitly permits the CDC to study gun violence -- and prohibits the use of federal funds to build a border wall through Texas's Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge.

New head of CDC has tainted past

The newly appointed head of the Centers for Disease Control, Robert Redfield, has a history of concerns about his scientific integrity. Redfield is a well-credentialed appointee who was formally cleared of wrongdoing. However, the unexplained errors in some of his research, and his extreme statements and actions about HIV/AIDS bring into question his ability to lead an agency whose objectivity is essential for its public health mission. Although his appointment did not require Senate confirmation, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, spoke out against it in a letter to the White House. The professional staff of the CDC had previously advocated the permanent appointment of Anne Schuchat, who had been acting CDC director since the January 31 resignation of Brenda Fitzgerald.

Congress, EPA seek to restrict science-based policymaking

On March 29, the House approved the Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 (HONEST Act), which mandates that research data affecting EPA decisions be available to the public, and EPA director Scott Pruitt is expected to make this requirement part of EPA policy. However, this would severely constrain future research, because some environmental health studies include confidential medical, personal, and industry data that must be redacted before being made public. House Science Committee chair Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), who introduced the HONEST Act, has previously accused the EPA of relying on "secret science" and climate scientists of falsifying their work. EPA staff and the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the increased staff hours and data storage required to comply with the HONEST Act would cost at least $250 million annually for the next few years, and that the Act would permit the EPA to release unredacted confidential data at the discretion of the EPA administrator.

Pruitt announces rollback of auto efficiency standards

On April 2, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt signed a document announcing that the EPA would roll back the Obama administration's fuel economy and emissions standards, which would otherwise require cars and light trucks to average more than 50 mpg by 2025. This followed heavy lobbying of both Pruitt and President Trump by the auto industry. On April 3, Pruitt restated the plan to the press while accompanied by auto executives; this was Pruitt's first public appearance since the March 31 news that he had rented a condo at below-market price from the family of a fossil-fuel lobbyist. Meanwhile, California, which under the Clean Air Act is permitted to set its own emissions limits, has threatened lawsuits if their current waiver is eliminated; California and the 12 other states that have adopted its standards account for one-third of U.S. auto sales.

Court ruling widens the road for robocalls

The DC Circuit Court vacated certain Obama-era restrictions on robocalls, which may increase the volume of unwanted calls. Unless Congress takes action (which Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) threatens), any smartphone will be permitted to launch a robocall campaign by running an app. This would make the annoying technology much less expensive and thus spread its use. Furthermore, multiple robocalls could be placed to numbers that have been reassigned to people who have not consented to receiving them, inconveniencing the new subscriber not just once but many times. There is a related petition for the FCC to require wireless carriers to install automatic robocall-blocking technology that would allow wireless users to permanently bar robocalls (see "What You Can Do" above).

Quick takes for April 5, 2018

  • Facebook announced on Wednesday that Cambridge Analytica may have acquired personal information from as many as 87 million users without permission. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to address Facebook privacy issues before both House and Senate committees during the week of April 9.
  • A Pennsylvania court has ruled that, unlike less invasive natural gas extraction processes, fracking from beneath neighboring property without permission constitutes trespassing. This may result in more anti-fracking lawsuits, and possible legislative action to re-define mineral rights.
  • A Boston University study of fracked natural gas has found 108 volatile organic compounds among samples from four Massachusetts cities. Twenty-seven are classified as "hazardous" and 12 as suspected carcinogens; these compounds may be released into homes from gas ranges and fireplaces.
  • The National Hockey League, concerned that global warming is shortening skating seasons, now has a five-year plan to cut carbon emissions and reduce waste.
  • The FBI and the Justice Department are reportedly still pushing for legislation that would require smartphone manufacturers to allow law enforcement access to encrypted user data.
  • Susan Combs, the newly appointed acting Interior Department assistant secretary for fish, wildlife, and parks, has a long record of opposing protections for endangered species.

Have comments or something to add? Contact the RISE Stronger Science & Technology Policy Working Group at [email protected].

Want to learn more? Check us out online at risestronger.org/groups/rise-science-technology, and sign up for the RISE S&T Newsletter at tinyletter.com/rise-science-tech.