Oppose OMB — CommunitiesRising.us

Oppose OMB Politicization Of Federal Grant-Making

Submit a public comment. The comment period is open until July 13. Anyone can submit a comment, and OMB is required to respond to substantial comments. Each comment must be different to count as distinct; identical comments will be counted only once. Comment as an individual, not on behalf of your organization. https://elizabethginexi.substack.com/p/what-we-need-to-do-next-ombs-proposed

2. Contact your elected representatives.* Congress allocates money to federal agencies to spend, and it oversees how that process works. You can let your representatives know this proposed change concerns you and ask them to intervene. https://l4gg.docsend.com/view/y9itn49h2682jjuk

Senator Patty Murray: 202-224-2621 / 206-553-5545

Senator Maria Cantwell: 202-224-3441 / 206-220-6400

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: 202-225-3106 / 206-674-0040

Rep. Adam Smith: 202-225-8901 / 425-793-5180

3. Spread the word. Let others know why federal funding matters. Not just science, but ALL federal grants, including for education, housing, transportation, defense, and more.

4. Attend the Communities Rising Urgent meeting on Thursday, June 25th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM; doors open at 6:00 PM. RSVP HERE so we can plan.

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*Draft email to a Senator:

Subject: Please oppose OMB proposal to politicize federal grant-making

Dear Senator [Last Name],

I am a constituent writing to urge you to oppose the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed rule that would politicize federal grant-making, scientific research and state/local government funding.

Federal grants support research and public services that communities rely on, including public health, environmental protection, education, transportation... Decisions about funding should be based on evidence, expert review, and transparency, not approval by political appointees.

This proposal would undermine trust in federally funded research, weaken scientific integrity, and chill the open exchange of information that helps the public, universities, nonprofits, and businesses make sound decisions.

Please:

Publicly oppose this proposed OMB rule.
Use your oversight authority to protect non-partisan, expert-based federal grant-making.
Demand that OMB withdraw the proposal so grant awards remain insulated from political interference.

Thank you for your service. I would appreciate knowing your position and what steps you will take.

Sincerely,

The Trump administration failed in the courts and failed with Congress. Now the Trump administration is rewriting Federal grant rules to circumvent the Courts and Congress.

Don’t let them!Act by July 13th.

This rule change takes away Congress’ power of the purse and gives it to the OMB, contrary to settled statute. It will let White House appointees veto any grant at any time – before or after the money is awarded – with no explanation, no appeal.

About $1.5 trillion dollar of federal grants flow out to every state every year. On average, 36¢ of every dollar that states spend comes from Federal grants.

Federal grants support science and research (technology); Medicaid and funding of rural hospitals, community clinics; roads, ports and transit construction projects; Head Start and public school programs; food assistance …