This week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) re-introduced the Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient (WISE) Government Act to better equip federal agencies with the scientific literature necessary to make well-informed policy decisions. This legislation would require the Government Services Administration to work with the Library of Congress, agency libraries, and government information services to identify ways to make accessing scientific literature more efficient and to identify short and long-term solutions. The WISE Government Act is cosponsored by Representatives Mark Takano (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Ed Case (D-HI).
"In order to make well-informed policy decisions, federal agencies need to be equipped with up-to-date information, especially scientific literature," said Congressman Foster. "Many employees at federal agencies have a harder time accessing scientific literature than employees at most large universities. If we are serious about growing our economy, promoting innovation, and creating a better world for hardworking Americans this must change. The WISE Government Act will help employees at agencies such as the Department of Defense, EPA, State Department, NASA and others quickly and efficiently access the latest scientific data."
"As our lives become more dependent on science and technology, it is critical for the federal government to have access to the tools and scientific literature it needs to govern effectively," said Congressman Mark Takano. "I've joined Rep. Bill Foster to reintroduce the WISE Government Act to equip the federal government with the resources it needs to make timely, informed, data-driven decisions. Navigating this pandemic, understanding the science behind our strategy to combat the virus, and mapping out our nation's recovery underscores the importance of this legislation."