U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) today introduced the Show Me the Science Act, which mandates federal agencies to publish the data used in formulating new regulations.
A Pew Research study indicates that only 22 percent of Americans trust the federal government to act correctly “most of the time.” Federal agencies often impose legally binding requirements on the public without sharing the underlying information or calculating costs and benefits for American taxpayers.
The Show Me the Science Act aims to enhance transparency in federal rulemaking and improve both congressional and public oversight.
Edwards stated, “We need greater transparency and accountability in how federal agencies decide to write new rules to make sure that these regulations serve the public’s best interests.”
He added, “If an agency can’t prove that the benefits of the rule outweigh the costs, then we shouldn’t saddle the American people and Main Street businesses with additional regulations.”
“The Show Me the Science Act would put guardrails in place to prevent federal agencies from making harmful, unjustified rules that negatively affect the American people,” Edwards continued. “At a time when public trust in the federal government continues to be low, federal agencies should have to show the science and back their rules with evidence.”
