1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I read with extreme alarm today that Russell Vought is trying to destroy American science and federally funded research as we know it. As a previous recipient of a $1 million five-year federal grant from the Office of Drug Control Policy, I object strongly to the ideas presented in this abominable document. OMB’s latest proposed rule, “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,” would require all scientific grants to be approved by political appointees instead of career experts in their fields. Funding would be required to align with “Administration policies and priorities.” Political appointees selecting or approving research proposals destroys the scientific process. The program I managed was selected for funding amongst 1,000+ other proposals. I served as Principal Investigator for five years and utilized a scientific model and a university researcher throughout the period, achieving very encouraging results that demonstrated positive outcomes for children and families. I was a young child when Penicillin and the polio vaccine saved my life. I believe in science. This latest proposed rule is a direct threat to scientific independence, public health, and evidence-based decision-making.