Brian Schatz (D-HI)
Scientific Integrity Act
A Democratic bill with 25 Democratic cosponsors · See all 25 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Scientific Integrity Act seeks to amend the America COMPETES Act to establish scientific integrity policies across Federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee research. It requires agencies to adopt and enforce policies that prohibit research misconduct, such as dishonesty or the suppression of findings. The bill mandates the appointment of a Scientific Integrity Officer and the creation of training programs and dispute resolution processes. It also requires regular reporting on misconduct complaints and incident reports to Congress and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Additionally, the act aims to ensure that scientific conclusions and personnel actions are not driven by political considerations or ideology.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates the publication of scientific integrity policies and annual reports on misconduct complaints on agency websites.
- Scored +4
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill protects the rights of scientists to disseminate findings, participate in conferences, and engage with the scientific community without political interference.
- Scored +2
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill explicitly allows covered individuals to hold leadership positions in unions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Research Integrity: The bill prohibits individuals from engaging in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or the suppression and alteration of scientific findings, which helps ensure the accuracy of research (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 1).
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Increased Freedom for Scientists: The policy requires that scientific integrity rules allow individuals to participate in conferences, seek publication in peer-reviewed journals, and hold leadership positions in professional organizations (Section s, subsection b, paragraph 2).
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Merit-Based Employment: The act mandates that the selection and retention of candidates for science and technology positions must be based primarily on expertise, credentials, experience, and integrity rather than political considerations (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 4).
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Transparency and Accountability: Agencies are required to make their scientific integrity policies available to the public on their websites and must submit annual reports detailing the number and results of misconduct complaints (Section 3, subsections a and d).
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Establishment of Redress: The bill requires the creation of administrative processes and appeal processes for dispute resolution, ensuring there is a way to handle disagreements regarding scientific integrity (Section 3, subsection e).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Additional Agency Requirements: Agency heads are tasked with several new responsibilities, including adopting policies within 90 days, appointing a Scientific Integrity Officer, and establishing training programs within 180 days (Section 3, subsections a, d, and e).
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Potential for Mandatory Review of Findings: The bill allows agencies to require that individuals submit scientific findings to the agency for a review of technical accuracy before they are disseminated (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 3).
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Administrative Burdens: Agencies must manage new administrative processes, conduct regular training for employees and contractors, and handle the requirements of periodic policy reviews and reporting (Section 3, subsections e and h).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates the publication of scientific integrity policies and annual reports on misconduct complaints on agency websites. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill protects the rights of scientists to disseminate findings, participate in conferences, and engage with the scientific community without political interference.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill explicitly allows covered individuals to hold leadership positions in unions. Would students be better off under this? — The focus on scientific integrity and merit-based processes supports a more stable academic and research environment.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill allows scientific individuals to join or hold leadership positions in unions. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill implements merit-based hiring and integrity standards for scientific personnel, which can lead to more efficient use of agency resources.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — By preventing the suppression of scientific findings, the bill helps ensure environmental protection decisions are based on accurate data.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill protects the integrity of the scientific process for agencies that fund research.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill aims to ensure scientific integrity in agencies, which can impact the quality of data used for policy decisions including those affecting veterans.
- 11/12/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 20 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts