Advocacy & Practice Updates — Advocacy & Practice
Congress Delays Proposed Political Review of Federal Grantmaking Decisions
Last week, Congress passed, and the President signed, a stopgap government funding bill that will keep the federal government open through December 11. Included in the bill is a provision barring the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from implementing a proposal that seeks to dramatically reform the federal grantmaking process by de-emphasizing subject matter expert peer review and placing final decision-making authority in the hands of political appointees. In joint comments with the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, ASRS opposed the proposed rule because grant applicants would be required to demonstrate how their proposed studies or initiatives would align with administration policy or political goals, rather than being judged on scientific merit.
While the rule is only delayed by Congress’ action, it drew widespread opposition across all industries when first proposed, and will likely face similar advocacy to eliminate it altogether in December.
(Published 9.8.26)