WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and a group of Senators introduced the Science and Transparency Over Politics (STOP) Act, legislation to fight back against political interference by the Trump administration in the work of experts and the nation’s public health agencies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation was led by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA).

“200,000 Americans have lost their lives from COVID-19, while millions more continue to face its devastating economic and public health impacts. During a time when Americans need steady leadership and sound guidance, the Trump administration has prioritized partisan politics over science on too many occasions,” said Senator Shaheen. “Now more than ever, the independence and integrity of our public scientists and health experts must be protected. The STOP Act will hold the administration accountable, provide transparency and help ensure the scientific and medical guidance Americans are relying on during this crisis remains free of dangerous political interference. I urge my Republican colleagues to support this legislation that will put the health and wellbeing of the American people – not partisan politics – first.”

The STOP Act would create a task force of the Pandemic Response and Accountability Committee charged with conducting a thorough investigation into any political interference with decisions made by scientific agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services in connection with the pandemic response. These reports would be released to committees of jurisdiction and could be made public so Americans and independent experts can see with full transparency whether scientists were unimpeded in their work or a product was pushed for political reasons. Additionally, the task force would have full discretion to release any information that it deems is in the public interest and may be important to public safety.

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