WASHINGTON (Nov. 21, 2014) — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that prohibits the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from proposing or finalizing any action unless all scientific and technical information supporting the action is publicly available and can be verified independently.
The bill, H.R. 4012 or the Secret Science Reform Act of 2014, amends the Environmental Research, Development and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to include the new restrictions, according to a summary of the bill summary on THOMAS, the search engine for Congress.
The bill passed Nov. 19 by a 237-190.
The bill had widespread industry support, including backing from the Auto Care Association and the Adhesive and Sealant Council Inc., the latter of which said just before the House vote the EPA “must utilize high-quality science as well as provide transparency on how decisions are made when issuing federal regulations.
“H.R. 4012 will increase the clarity and understanding of how the agency has reached a regulatory decision for all involved stakeholders.”
The Obama administration, on the other hand, “strongly opposes” H.R. 4012, saying it will impose “arbitrary, unnecessary, and expensive requirements” that would seriously impede the EPA's ability to use science to protect public health and the environment.
A motion to reconsider H.R. 4012 was laid on the table and agreed to without objection.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.).
The Office of Management and Budget said President Obama's senior advisers would recommend that he veto the bill if it reaches his desk.