Across the country, people showed up peacefully in huge numbers to claim control over their future. The votes are in, and American voters have chosen change, with a new Congress that is likely to focus on prioritizing the interests of people and holding the Trump administration accountable for its harmful, corrupt and, in some cases, illegal actions.
Before I dive into what this means for science-informed policymaking, I want to say a heartfelt thank you: to those who volunteered for candidates and campaigns; who knocked on doors and phone banked; who signed up to work the polls; who helped get out the vote; and of course, those who showed up to vote. It’s still everyday people who carry out the meaningful work of democracy, not super PACS or deep-pocketed special interests.
Last night’s election showed that we must keep working to make voting accessible and fair for all eligible voters, as many waited in line for hours at polling stations across the country, and those in unfairly gerrymandered districts—many redrawn to dilute votes in predominantly Black and Brown communities—worried their priorities would not be reflected in the new Congress. Despite shameful attempts to disenfranchise voters, the people were heard.
I also want to give a special shout-out to the scientific community, whose strength and solidarity were on full display this election cycle. Scientists and science supporters spoke out and fought back against anti-democratic actions and attacks on science. This includes thousands of UCS supporters who stepped up to the plate, joining our Science Rising, and collaborating with pro-democracy partners to defend and protect the vote, as well as experts across the country who’ve demanded protections for science-based policy with their members of Congress, testified and submitted public comments, and joined in community with other scientists to make their voices heard. UCS supporters stepped up to defend the integrity of our election, and as a result, more science champions will walk the halls of Congress. We’ve created a strong movement, one that we’ll need to capitalize on the opportunities ahead.
An opportunity to fight corruption, strengthen democracy, and make progress
The American people have spoken, and they clearly want a Congress that will prioritize their well-being over corporate interests; that will help ease the affordability crisis instead of worsening it; and most of all, a Congress that will stand up to the authoritarian, destructive impulses of President Trump and his administration.
A new Congress that is interested in protecting the role of science in government, in upholding the rule of law and the powers of Congress, and in advancing practical and much-needed climate and clean energy policy, will present opportunities and a duty to act on them. Congress can work to advance science-based clean energy policies and investment to address the affordability crisis, improve public health, and protect the environment.
Moreover, at the state level, with new science champions elected to gubernatorial seats and state legislatures, the United States also has new chances to make progress on science-based policymaking to advance clean energy and transportation, modernize the power grid, protect our air and water—and more. UCS is ready to work with the new Congress, and in states, to advance solutions for a healthier and safer environment, and more affordable daily life.
Time to end the attacks on science
With more science champions elected to both chambers of Congress, UCS will be advocating for a return to science-based legislating—that is, basing decisions that affect us all on facts and evidence, not political whims. We’ll petition Congress to restore funding for science, protect federal science agencies, and re-establish safeguards for federal scientists to carry out their work and communicate about it free from political interference. These actions are vital to improving people’s health and safety, and beginning to undo some of the damage done to US science.
Regardless of how President Trump chooses to work with the new legislature, it’s crucial for our members of Congress to hold the line on their power over spending in our democracy. UCS will remind them.
UCS will also be leading calls for strong oversight of the Trump administration’s attacks on science. These harmful actions—including giveaways to fossil fuel companies and other polluters—have harmed regular people while enriching corporate executives and Trump administration cronies. Through hearings, oversight letters, investigations, and enacting legislation, a new Congress can not only shine a spotlight on the damage done by this administration, but also deter future harms.
UCS has been preparing for months to be ready for this moment. We launched Science Rising earlier this year to slow the spread of harm and help envision what a true pro-science administration can accomplish. We’ve cultivated relationships with policymakers around the country. We’re backing several legislative initiatives to protect science federally. My colleagues will be writing extensively about our next steps; you can find our specific plans here in the coming weeks.
We’re still in a high-stakes fight
I think most readers understand that the new Congress will not be a magical remedy for the damage the second Trump administration has caused since January 2025. We are still where we are: suffering the effects of massive funding cuts and uncertainty around federal budgeting, along with the firings and departures of thousands of federal scientists and the rollbacks of vital evidence-based policies intended to protect our health and safety. We still have the same charlatans in positions of power they are grossly unqualified to hold. We’re still vulnerable to more attacks on science.
So, at UCS, we’re not going to stop speaking up and fighting back. We’ve spent the last two years defending against an unprecedented level of attacks on science, and honing a suite of tools that have both succeeded in protecting science-based policies, and in slowing down the harmful effects of these attacks.
They include filing and joining litigation against the administration for illegal actions; drawing media attention to harmful Trump administration actions that may have otherwise evaded public attention, keeping our focus on the communities impacted; tapping UCS supporters and our Science Network experts to contact and meet with their members of Congress; and fostering and maintaining networks of independent scientists who can perform the vital, potentially life-saving research that the Trump administration has turned its back on—for example, providing vaccine recommendations for children.
Whatever may come in the next two years, we will apply what we’ve learned since January 2025 to double down on our work to protect people and communities from the effects of the rollbacks of science-based policies for our health and safety, and the attacks that the Trump administration levels against anything that stands in the way of their polluters-first agenda.
And beyond the next two years, UCS is preparing to reenvision what science-based policymaking can and should look like in our country. We’re developing a blueprint for action under a future pro-science administration in coalition with partner organizations, rallying the scientific community to dream big and make solid plans.
In some ways, the next two years are going to be what we make them: through hard work, courage, and perseverance. We’re not going to squander any opportunity we have to hold the Trump administration accountable for its harms. We will fight relentlessly to defend science and make progress on the issues we care about. The work is just beginning, and I hope we’ll see it through together.