Bill · S. 4545· Senate(119-S-4545)
Scientific Integrity Act
- Introduced
- 5/14/2026
- Last activity
- 5/14/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Brian Schatz
- Cosponsors
- - 23 - 0
- 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
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
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?+4
The bill protects the rights of scientists to disseminate findings, participate in conferences, and engage with the scientific community without political interference.
Would union members be better off under this?+2
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. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Improves Freedom Of Speech+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+2Good For Students+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections+2Improves Fiscal Responsibility+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- 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
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
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