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	Press Releases June 09, 2006   NASA ADMITS WRONGDOING IN NOT ALLOWING TOP SCIENTIST TO DISCUSS CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH   Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) have received written confirmation from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that a media request to interview a top official on his climate change views was wrongly denied. Collins and Lieberman raised concerns with NASA’s alleged censorship of scientific views in a letter dated February 15, 2006, following media reports that Goddard Space Flight Center Chief Dr. James Hansen was prevented from fully conveying his findings. In separate letters to both Senators Collins and Lieberman, a NASA official stated that “an internal inquiry has revealed that one recent media request to interview Dr. James Hansen, of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, was inappropriately declined.” The official went on to note that this action ran contrary to official NASA policy of permitting researchers and scientists to fully and publicly communicate their findings. The NASA response to the Senators is an important concession that manipulation of scientific statements occurred and recognizes other allegations of inappropriate editing of scientific materials. “It is of paramount importance that the scientific community, public officials and the general public receive accurate information on scientific studies financed by taxpayer dollars. We rely on NASA and other federally funded research to make critical public policy decisions affecting our health and our environment,” said Collins. “Concerted efforts to incorrectly portray scientific data and findings are unacceptable. While this incident is disturbing, I am pleased that NASA is taking steps to prevent similar incidences in the future.” "In the time it took NASA to acknowledge that the censorship of Dr. Hansen was inappropriate, new charges of suppressing climate science have arisen at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Forest Service, “Lieberman said. “Reports of this disturbing practice have now arisen at four federal agencies: EPA, NASA, NOAA, and the Forest Service. It is time for the White House to stop suppressing important climate change information that the public has a right to know and needs to know." A copy of NASA’s response can be found here: http://lieberman.senate.gov/documents/letters/060606nasaliebermanresponse.pdf   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 June 2006 Press Releases May   |  July   --   2005   |  2007     June 30 - Collins, Lieberman Seek to Address Government Fraud   June 29 - Dodd, Lieberman Help Secure Additional $4 Million for Coast Guard Research and Development Lab   June 29 - Lieberman Says DHS Infrastructure Protection Plan Not Enough   June 28 - Lieberman Speaks on Introduction of Bill to Reinvent FEMA   June 27 - Collins, Lieberman Seek Greater Funding To Protect Transit, Rail and Ports   June 27 - Lieberman Says Appeals Court Decision Reaffirms Opposition To DHS Personnel Changes   June 23 - Lieberman Demands Greater Information Security For DHS Trusted Traveler Programs   June 20 - Lieberman Welcomes Reversal of FEMA Trailer Evictions   June 20 - Democrats Seek Oversight of Iraqi Reconstruction Contracts   June 19 - Lieberman Says Federal Efforts to Ensure Diversity Must Improve   June 16 - Lieberman Says NRP Conclusion is Not Surprising   June 16 - Senators Collins, Lieberman, Coleman and Murray Call on Chertoff to Issue Transporation and Port Security Grant Guidance   June 15 - Senate Homeland SEcurity Committee Unanimously Passes Collins-Lieberman Chemical Security Legislation   June 15 - Lieberman Heralds Advancement Of Chemical Security Bill   June 14 - Lieberman Leads Defeat of Industry's Preemption Amendment to the Chemical Security Bill   June 14 - Lieberman Says Disaster Aid Abuse Underscores Need For A Reinvented FEMA   June 14 - Lieberman Calls for Investigation of the Appearance of Widespread Censorship by the Administration on Climate Change Research   June 9 - Some Katrina Victims Get a Break on Unemployment Benefits   June 9 current Press Release   June 8 - Senate Homeland Security Committee Holds Hearing on Where FEMA Belongs   June 8 - Lieberman Calls for Reinvention, Strengthening of FEMA   June 6 - Lieberman Assails GOP for Refusing to Extend Unemployment Benefits for 2005 Hurricane Victims
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