1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the systematic removal of crucial federal data programs that provide essential information to local officials and citizens. This data degradation is not mere bureaucratic housekeeping; it's a deliberate attempt to control narratives by eliminating tools we rely on to understand critical issues affecting our communities and nation. The removal of environmental, public health, and demographic data is alarming. The EPA's decision to take down EJScreen, a vital tool for environmental justice, and NOAA's dismissal of climate scientists have left us without crucial resources to assess and address climate risks. The CDC's burial of datasets on HIV, youth behavior, maternal health, and chronic diseases, along with the Census Bureau's concealment of the Social Vulnerability Index, severely hampers our ability to respond to public health crises and support vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the removal of studies showing right-wing extremism as a greater domestic threat and lower crime rates among undocumented immigrants appears to be a politically motivated attempt to shape public perception, rather than a decision based on data integrity or relevance. This widespread data removal makes it exponentially harder to track environmental risks, address public health issues, prepare for climate dangers, and understand demographic vulnerability. It undermines our ability to make informed decisions and advocate for evidence-based policies that serve our communities. I urge you to take immediate action to restore these vital data programs. Specifically, I request that you: 1. Introduce or support legislation mandating the reinstatement of all removed federal datasets and tools. 2. Launch an investigation into the decision-making processes that led to this data degradation. 3. Establish safeguards to prevent future politically motivated removals of scientific and demographic data. The integrity of our democracy depends on transparent, accessible information. When data that threatens power disappears, it fundamentally shapes what the public can know and believe. We must act now to preserve our access to critical information and protect the foundations of informed civic engagement.