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H.R. 1709: Scientific Integrity Act

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H.R. 1709: Scientific Integrity Act

116th Congress · introduced 2019-03-13 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 6.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-03-13 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 6. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Scientific Integrity Act

Plain summary

Scientific Integrity Act This bill revises provisions regarding the release of scientific research results by federal agencies. The bill prohibits specified federal employees and contractors of an agency that funds, conducts, or oversees scientific research from engaging in scientific or research misconduct or manipulating communication of scientific or technical findings. A covered individual may disseminate scientific or technical findings by (1) participating in scientific conferences; and (2) seeking publication through peer-reviewed, professional, or scholarly journals. The bill specifies the kinds of scientific community activities covered individuals may participate and engage in, including the reviewing of public statements and responding to media interview requests. Each covered agency must develop, adopt, and enforce a scientific integrity policy and also must submit it to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Congress; appoint a Scientific Integrity Officer; and adopt and implement an administrative process and administrative appeal for dispute resolution and a training program that, among other things, provides regular scientific integrity and ethics training to employees and contractors. OSTP must collate, organize, and publicly share all information it receives under each scientific integrity policy on its website.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Scientific Integrity Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] · 232 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 1709, Scientific Integrity Act (2019-11-07)

Cosponsors on this site

Haley M. Stevens (D-MI), John Garamendi (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Adam Smith (D-WA), Scott H. Peters (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sean Casten (D-IL), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Bill Foster (D-IL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Mark Takano (D-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), John B. Larson (D-CT), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA) and 172 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] reported raising $1.2 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Resolution
A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr1709 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116