1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

Today I am writing to you as your constituent to ask you to stop a proposal from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget that puts political appointees in charge of science research funding decisions rather than scientists-OMB-2026-0034-0001. The proposal would allow political appointees to decide how and who gets research funds, cut collaboration with scientists in other countries, and most importantly, restrict the ability of scientists to communicate their findings. It would prevent research in areas the current regime has deemed “not in the national interest” such as studies on mRNA-based vaccines, or health disparities. This dangerous proposal also gives the OMB power to rescind previously approved research funds. Finally, it would impact nonscientific grants supporting services for mental health, housing, education, veterans and Tribal nations, affecting the health and well-being of millions. As I am sure you understand, putting political appointees from this regime, who are not scientists and who are in fact, anti-science, in charge of research funding is a very very bad and dangerous idea for this nation. Think back to Soviet science in the 1930’s when Stalin backed an idiot who claimed to be an agronomist and pushed completely non-scientific ideas about soaking seeds in cold water before planting them to improve wheat yield. Scientists who spoke against the idea and against Mendelian Genetics were jailed or silenced. The result? Millions died of starvation and Russian science never ever recovered. I urge you to actually do something to ensure America does not slide into the backwaters of science. Ensure that it real scientists, with real science degrees, not political appointees, who make funding decisions. Stop OMB-2026-0034-0001 from being enacted. The greatness of American science depends on you taking action against this proposal.