WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s signing of a presidential memorandum that protects scientific integrity across the federal government, insulating it from political influence:

“After eight long years, we now have a president who believes that, like oil and water, good science and political influence do not mix.  As an ardent supporter of scientific integrity, I applaud President Obama’s commitment to protecting scientists and scientific results from the influence of politics and ideology.

From climate change to NASA, to the way our water management policies affect salmon stocks, we rely on sound science to form the basis for sound policy.  We must trust that the scientific evidence produced by the federal government is based on a rigorous, independent investigation and that it is being portrayed accurately.  While that has not always been the case in the recent past, today President Obama set the tone for the future.

In the coming months and years we will be working to treat and cure debilitating diseases, keep our food supply safe, change our energy consumption patterns, protect our planet, and further explore space.  Science is the foundation for all of these endeavors.  By protecting science from distorting forces, we are setting the stage for the discoveries of the future.”