Quigley Statement on Trump Administration’s Efforts to Silence Science

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as Co-Chair of the Transparency Caucus and Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC), released the following statement after the Trump Administration halted external communication at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):

"Banning the EPA from issuing public updates in the form of press releases, social media, and blog posts clearly signifies the Trump Administration's dangerous and deliberate shift towards a closed government. This media blackout strips the American people of the access and resources needed to monitor the actions of those who represent and serve them in government, hindering public trust, stifling discourse and encouraging a lack of transparency.

"The new Administration has also reinforced this objective by banning USDA scientists and employees in its main research division from sharing their scientific work with the public. Facts and findings still matter, regardless of what our President's actions suggest, and I will continue my efforts to ensure sound science is acknowledged by lawmakers, utilized in policymaking, and shared with constituents."

In December, Rep. Quigley invited Scott Pruitt, President Trump's nominee for EPA Administrator, to participate in a debate on the merits of climate change, following Pruitt's remarks questioning the sound science surrounding the threat.