Edwards introduces bill requiring science to back new government regulations

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) today introduced the Show Me the Science Act to require federal agencies to publish the data that they use to inform decisions behind new rules.

A Pew Research study shows that only 22 percent of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right “most of the time.” Federal agencies make legally binding requirements on the public, often with an inability or unwillingness to share the information that they use to form the basis of new agency rules, and fail to calculate the costs and benefits of those rule for American taxpayers.

The Show Me the Science Act would provide more transparency in federal rulemaking and improve congressional and public oversight of the rulemaking process.

Edwards said, “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.

“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.

“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.”