GOP Questions Obama Administration's Science

By Stephanie Samuel, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, October 20, 2011

Republicans, who are determined to eliminate federal regulations deemed a hindrance to energy independence and jobs, are questioning the accuracy of science utilized by the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency.

In a letter released dated Tuesday, Sens. David Vitter (R-La.), and James Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) list a number of incidents in which federal agencies have either misrepresented scientific studies or did not properly present data to support its conclusions.

"We've seen facts manipulated and science ignored across the administration while they've developed policies with huge negative effects on the economy," Sen. Vitter said in a statement.

Republicans criticized the Interior Department for a 2010 incident where an Inspector General investigation revealed that a National Academy of Engineers report was manipulated to support its recommendation for a temporary deep water drilling moratorium.

Investigation was launched after the National Academy of Engineering – a member of the National Academies – complained that the moratorium was not among the group’s approved recommendations.

In April of this year, a National Research Council panel of independent scientists found that an EPA report of formaldehyde health assessment linking the industrial chemical to leukemia and respiratory tract cancers features "recurring problems with clarity and transparency of the methods."

The EPA regulates formaldehyde levels in the construction industry.

"We want the public to be aware of the administration's misconduct, but we also want agencies to be transparent and explain their methods," Vitter said.

In opposition, Republicans for Environmental Protection says Republicans are straying from its history of natural conservation and stewardship for political gain.

In its 2010 environmental score card, REP Vice President for Government and Political Affairs David Jenkins charged that Republicans' thoughtful environmental policy-making had fallen victim to election-year politics, partisanship and radicalism.

Many of the Republican presidential candidates in the 2012 race for the GOP nomination have taken strong stances against environmental science and related regulations. Texas Gov. Rick Perry has openly questioned the evidence supporting global warming. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann said she would lock the doors of the EPA as president.

House and Senate Republicans are backing the candidates up with proposed regulation cuts in its jobs plan.

The Republicans' letter was addressed to John Holdren, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy for the White House, and features a long list of questions about the Interior Department and EPA's methods.

The White House has not yet responded to the letter.