Trump Proposal Will Turn Federal Grants Into a System of Political Favors, Democrats Warn
The proposal drew nearly 500,000 public comments and is expected to face litigation if OMB finalizes it.
- The Office of Management and Budget proposed a rule shifting $1 trillion in grant oversight to political appointees, replacing merit-based reviews with political approval authority across dozens of federal agencies.
- President Donald Trump issued executive orders last year to prevent grants from furthering what he termed "woke" causes and impose a new "gold standard" for government-backed scientific research.
- In a July 1 letter, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democratic Caucus charged the proposal would "unilaterally advance his partisan agenda and punish political rivals," affecting about $200 billion in discretionary grants annually.
- Public comment ended July 13, drawing nearly half a million responses; Tech Policy Press analysis found 94% opposed the rule, prompting advocacy groups to prepare litigation in federal court.
- The OMB plans to publish a final rule by October 1 for the fiscal 2027 grant season. Stand Up for Science said it is "prepping with our partners for the legal battles to fight OMB in the federal court system.
27 Articles
27 Articles
University opposes changes to federal-grant guidelines — Harvard Gazette
Campus & Community University opposes changes to federal-grant guidelines Harvard file photo Jacob Sweet Harvard Staff Writer July 22, 2026 long read Letter argues that overhaul would politicize funding process, hamper health and science advances, damage nation’s security, competitiveness On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), along with federal grantmaking agencies, proposed an over…
Trump proposal will turn federal grants into a system of political favors, Democrats warn • Maine Morning Star
Democrats in Congress are raising questions about a draft rule proposed by the Trump administration that would change the way grants, such as those by the National Institutes of Health, are administered. Shown is an NIH Pediatric Oncology Branch researcher's lab jacket, embroidered with the NIH logo. (Photo courtesy NIH) WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress are pushing back against a proposed Trump administration rule introduced by the Office of M…
Louisiana Illuminator
Trump proposal will turn federal grants into a system of political favors, Democrats warn
Democrats in Congress are raising questions about a draft rule proposed by the Trump administration that would change the way grants, such as those by the National Institutes of Health, are administered. Shown is an NIH Pediatric Oncology Branch researcher's lab jacket, embroidered with the NIH logo. (Photo courtesy NIH) WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress are pushing back against a proposed Trump administration rule introduced by the Office of M…
Critics mount offensive against change to federal grant rules
WASHINGTON — Opposition is building to a sweeping government-wide crackdown on federal grant awards, with opponents threatening litigation over a proposed rule that would put the grant approval process into the hands of political appointees. A ...
Change in federal grant procedures draws rebuke - The Iola Register
WASHINGTON — Opposition is building to a sweeping government-wide crackdown on federal grant awards, with opponents threatening litigation over a proposed rule that would put the grant approval process into the hands of political appointees.… The post Change in federal grant procedures draws rebuke appeared first on The Iola Register.
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