The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued a proposed rule that would make sweeping changes to the federal grantmaking process across all federal agencies by inserting additional political oversight and creating uncertainty in grant-funded programs.
This proposed regulation represents a significant shift in the rules governing federal grantmaking and other discretionary funding decisions across all federal agencies. The implications across the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other federal research agencies would be particularly dramatic. If finalized, this rule could significantly reshape federal funding decisions by increasing the role of political
appointees in making funding decisions, reducing the role of scientific peer review, and imposing specific limitations on how grant funds can be used.
Of particular concern, the rule would: - undermine the role of science, expertise, and evidence-based decision-making in the federal government by inserting additional political oversight into the grantmaking process;
- create significant uncertainty for federal grantees by allowing grant terminations at any time for almost any reason; and
- limit how grant funds can be used
State of play: In August, Congress passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded at current levels through December 11. A provision in that legislation – agreed to overwhelmingly by both Republicans and Democrats – paused the OMB proposed rule until at least that date, rather than the stated implementation target date of October 1.
Now is an important time for academic pediatricians to thank lawmakers for delaying the implementation of this harmful rule and urge them to pass a long-term solution that prevents this policy from taking effect.
Customization: To make your message stronger, you are encouraged to add a few sentences elaborating on a research program or grant that you are particularly concerned about if this proposal were to take effect. Please do not include any patient identifiable information in your outreach.
Contact Your Lawmakers Today Here’s how:
By Phone: You can call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your U.S. representative's and senators’ offices. Or you can go to House.gov and Senate.gov to find contact information. The contact information for their Washington, DC office is available on their websites.
Talking Points - Hello. My name is {First and last name}from {City, State}. I am an {academic scientist, researcher, and/or pediatrician} specializing in {insert your area of research expertise e.g., pediatric endocrinology, etc.}.
- I am calling today to express my appreciation for Congress’s action to delay the implementation of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) proposed rule, "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance" as part of the continuing resolution, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
- The OMB proposed rule would undermine the role of science, expertise, and evidence-based decision-making in the federal government by inserting additional political oversight into the grantmaking process.
- If implemented, the rule would allow federal officials to use grant programs to advance administration priorities inconsistent with the child health purposes of specific programs as established by Congress with the input of expert stakeholders like pediatricians.
- These initiatives support a wide range of child health priorities - including pediatric research, disease surveillance and outbreak response, mental health services, and care for children with special health care needs - and help inform the daily work of child health experts across the country.
- It is critical that the House and Senate work together to advance a solution that prevents this proposed rule from taking effect permanently and protects our nation's child health grants and programs.
- I urge {Senator/Representative's name} to support a long-term solution that prevents this harmful rule from taking effect.
By Email: You can email your representative through their website. You can find your U.S. representative by going to House.gov and using the "Find Your Representative" feature at the top right of the page. To find your U.S. senators, visit Senate.gov and use the "Find Your Senators" feature at the top left of the page. Email your U.S. representative and senators through the contact form on their websites. Email text: Subject: Protect Federal Child Health Grants and Programs As an {academic scientist, researcher, and or pediatrician}, I am grateful to Congress for recently voting overwhelmingly to delay the implementation of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) proposed rule, "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance" as part of the continuing resolution. Now, I urge Congress to pass a long-term solution that prevents this harmful rule from taking effect. The OMB proposed rule would undermine the role of science, expertise, and evidence-based decision-making in the federal government by inserting additional political oversight into the grantmaking process. If implemented, the proposed rule would have significant negative implications for federal child health research and programs. The rule would allow federal officials to use grant programs to advance administration priorities inconsistent with the child health purposes of specific programs as established by Congress with the input of pediatricians and other stakeholders. These initiatives support a wide range of child health priorities - including pediatric research, disease surveillance and outbreak response, mental health services, and care for children with special health care needs - and help
inform the daily work of pediatricians across the country. It is critical that the House and Senate work together to advance a solution that prevents this proposed rule from taking effect permanently and protects our nation's child health grants and programs. Thank you.
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