Roskam to scientists: Don't advise Science Advisory Board

When visiting Illinois 6th District schools, my congressman Peter Roskam loves to inspire impressionable students to serve government and society with their youth and idealism. You can do anything you want with the right spirit and motivation, he opines. What Roskam doesn't tell them is that if they want to combat global warming, which he adheres to the GOP playbook that it's a hoax, they better not study science. That's because Roskam voted with 224 other Republican House members to pass HR 1422, The EPA Science Advisory Reform Act of 2014. The SAB advises the EPA on environmental issues from a scientific standpoint. Least you think the 'reform' portion of the bill will strengthen the SAB and improve efforts to save the planet, think again.

HR 1422 should be retitled The EPA Science Advisory Board Emasculation Act of 2014. It REDUCES the influence of scientists while INCREASING the influence of fossil fuel company employees in advising the EPA. Yet the Board's only reason for existing is dissemination of science, not fossil fuel industry lobbying for less regulation of the industry destroying our planet for short term wealth. This disgraceful bit of anti environmentalism is underwritten and championed by the guys with the money to buy congressman to do their dirty work.

House Democrats got it mostly right: 190 of 194 voted for science and trying to keep Mother Earth alive a bit longer. The House GOP assault on science has no chance of becoming law with a president committed to environmental sanity. But all Illinois Sixth District school administrators should take note. Congressman Peter Roskam has no place defiling your sacred places of learning drumming up future votes based on false claims he's truly interested on making the world better for their generation