1. United States
2. R.I.
3. Letter

I am writing to strongly urge you to oppose OMB’s proposed rule that would revise the federal financial-assistance regulations governing grants and cooperative agreements. This proposal threatens to undermine the integrity of federal grantmaking by shifting power away from expert review, statutory purpose, and transparent public-interest criteria toward political appointees responsible for judging whether grants align with the president’s priorities. This represents an alarming and risky expansion of executive political control over public funds. Federal grants support vital public goods such as medical research, public education, Medicaid administration, transportation infrastructure, disaster preparedness, food assistance, environmental protection, civil rights enforcement, public health, higher education, and local community services. These funds are appropriated by Congress and paid for by taxpayers. They should not be used as tools for ideological reward and punishment. I am especially concerned that this rule would make it easier to terminate already-awarded grants based on political or policy disagreements. Such actions could destabilize research efforts, harm communities mid-project, undermine local planning, and expose universities, nonprofits, hospitals, school systems, and state agencies to political retaliation. This is not just a technical issue related to grants management. It is about the separation of powers. It concerns the rule of law. It relates to public accountability. Congress authorizes and appropriates federal funds, and agencies are supposed to administer those funds lawfully. The executive branch should not be allowed to convert congressionally approved programs into a system based on political loyalty. I urge you to take the following actions: - Issue a public statement opposing the proposed rule. - Call for hearings to examine the rule’s constitutional, statutory, and practical implications. - Press OMB to clarify how this proposal complies with congressional appropriations authority and existing grant statutes. - Support legislative measures to prevent federal grants from being awarded, denied, or terminated based on partisan or ideological loyalty tests. - Encourage constituents, institutions, municipalities, schools, nonprofits, and researchers to submit public comments before the deadline. No administration, regardless of party, should have the authority to transform federal grantmaking into a tool for political obedience. Public funds must serve the public interest. They must not become instruments of executive control. Please oppose this rule and defend the integrity of federal funding, the independence of expert review, and Congress’s constitutional role in overseeing the use of public money.