Subcommittee Discusses Republicans "Secret Science" Bill - Democrats Emphasize Its Substantial Harm to EPA

Press Release

Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing to discuss H.R. 4012, the Secret Science Reform Act of 2014.

Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), said in her opening statement, "Improving transparency and public access to federally funded research at EPA, or at any federal agency, is an important objective and one that I fully support. Although there may be disagreements among the subcommittee members about various actions that the EPA may be considering, I am confident that we all support increased transparency. Unfortunately, it appears the language in the bill we are discussing today, called the "Secret Science Reform Act," may actually prohibit EPA from increasing transparency. I hope that this is not an attempt to prevent or impede the EPA from promulgating regulations and performing its Congressionally-mandated priority objective of protecting human health and the environment."

H.R. 4012 would prohibit the EPA from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating regulations or assessments based upon scientific information unless such information is specifically identified and publically available. Democratic Members stressed the harm that the bill would cause EPA. The bill would prevent the EPA from using the best available science to inform their regulatory actions; deter the science community from conducting valuable EPA-funded research; and prevent the agency from promulgating effective regulations in the future.

Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), said, "The "Secret Science Reform Act of 2014' continues one of the most regrettable sagas in the history of this esteemed Committee. This saga began in the last Congress with Majority requests for data associated with studies that the EPA relied upon for certain clean air regulations. It continued in August of last year when the Chairman issued the first subpoena from this Committee in over 20 years to obtain that same data. And now we are here today, to discuss this misguided and mislabeled legislation."

She continued, "I want to be clear, the "Secret Science Reform Act of 2014' is built on a false premise. None of the science that has been in question during this two year affair is "secret.' Is the data protected? Of course it is. The data contains the personally identifiable health information of hundreds of thousands of American citizens. Nonetheless, as the Democratic Minority has repeatedly pointed out, legitimate researchers do have access to this data."

She went on to describe how all of the Majority's witnesses have significant ties to the tobacco industry.

She said, "This is a serious subject, because ultimately this is about protecting the public health of our citizens. It's about protecting the health of our neighbors, and friends, and family. If the Majority is serious about moving forward with this ill-advised legislation, then we need to hear from a credible set of witnesses. Our citizens deserve no less."

Ms. Bonamici said, "It is worth having a real discussion about how we can improve transparency and data access across the federal government…I hope we are able to have another hearing on this issue. I strongly encourage the participation of the EPA so that the agency has an opportunity to appear before the committee and provide -- on the record - their analysis about the provisions of this bill…I hope that we can work together to find a way to improve public access to federally funded research in a manner that does not compromise the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment."

Ms. Bonamici entered letters into the record from the American Lung Association and the American Thoracic Society, Union of Concerned Scientists, Center for Progressive Reform, and the Natural Resources Defense Council expressing opposition to the bill.

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