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FEDERALhearing transcript

Oversight Hearing: Scientific Integrity at the Department of the Interior

Original title: OVERSIGHT HEARING ON WHEN SCIENCE GETS TRUMPED: SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

January 1, 2019

scientific integrityDepartment of the Interioroversightgovernment accountabilityenvironmental policy

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing examines whether political influence has interfered with scientific research and reporting at the Department of the Interior, which directly impacts the accuracy of environmental data used for public policy and land management decisions.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Department of the Interior employees

These employees are subject to the department's scientific integrity policies and reporting requirements.

Scientific community

Researchers and scientists rely on the integrity of federal data for their own studies and policy recommendations.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Committee on Natural Resources held an on July 25, 2019, to examine allegations and concerns regarding within the Department of the Interior. The hearing featured testimony from former agency officials and policy experts regarding how scientific data is handled and reported by the department.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on July 25, 2019, in the Longworth House Office Building.
  • The Committee on Natural Resources conducted the oversight hearing to investigate scientific integrity practices at the Department of the Interior.
  • Witnesses included representatives from the Union of Concerned Scientists, The Heritage Foundation, and former DOI-affiliated researchers.
  • The record includes a 2018 DOI Office of Inspector General summary regarding alleged scientific integrity violations related to a National Park Service report.
  • The record includes Joel Clement's 2017 resignation letter to then-Secretary Ryan Zinke.
  • The hearing record includes a critique of the DOI Scientific Integrity Policy authored by Dr. Paul R. Houser in 2012.
  • Committee rules limited oral opening statements to the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to conduct oversight on how the Department of the Interior manages and to address concerns about potential political interference in scientific work.
Who testified at the hearing?
Witnesses included Andrew Rosenberg (Union of Concerned Scientists), Joel Clement (Harvard University), Maria Caffrey (former National Park Service partner), and Daren Bakst (The Heritage Foundation).

Why It Matters

This hearing examines whether political influence has interfered with scientific research and reporting at the Department of the Interior, which directly impacts the accuracy of environmental data used for public policy and land management decisions.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Historical focus on DOI integrity

The inclusion of a 2012 critique suggests that concerns regarding DOI scientific integrity policies predate the 2019 hearing.

Department of the Interior

Connected Entities

organizationDepartment of the Interior“The federal department under oversight review”Map →
personRob Bishop“Ranking Republican Member of the Committee”Map →
personRaul M. Grijalva“Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources”Map →
personDaren Bakst“Witness from The Heritage Foundation”Map →
personMaria Caffrey“Witness and former National Park Service partner”Map →
personAndrew Rosenberg“Witness from the Union of Concerned Scientists”Map →
personJoel Clement“Witness and former DOI official who resigned”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy75
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment40
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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