VIDEO Scientist Deborah Swackhamer: EPA Asked Me To Change Testimony To Congress | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

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Scientist Deborah Swackhamer: EPA Asked Me To Change Testimony To Congress | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC In a revealing segment on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show, scientist Deborah Swackhamer discusses her significant confrontation with the EPA regarding her congressional testimony. Swackhamer, who chairs the EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors, was pressured by an EPA official to alter her testimony to align with agency talking points, which she firmly resisted. Swackhamer emphasizes the critical need for robust, independent scientific input in federal policy decisions affecting public health. During her testimony, she warned against the politicizing and marginalizing of science within the EPA. Facing pressure the night before her congressional appearance, she received emails urging her to modify her statements, reflecting the broader concerns about the agency's commitment to science under the current administration. The interview highlights the decreasing number of board members on the EPA’s scientific advisory group, which has gone from 68 to just 11 members. This reduction raises alarm over the loss of independent scientific oversight at a pivotal moment for environmental policy. Swackhamer insists that strong, peer-reviewed science is essential for sound regulatory decisions and public health protection, and without a functioning board, valuable scientific perspectives are at risk of being overlooked. Moreover, her unwavering commitment to delivering her testimony as initially intended showcases the integrity and resolve of scientists in a politically charged environment. Her message resonates today as the ongoing debate about the role of science in governance continues to unfold.

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