Story perspectives

OMB Draft Rule Lets Politicians Choose Grants, Sparks Outcry

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

White House Office of Management and Budget issued a draft rule letting political appointees decide grant awards.
Published May 29, the rule opens a 45-day comment period ending July 13.
Scientists, the Planetary Society and 100,000 commenters say the rule would replace merit-based review with political criteria, ban study of disparate-impact liability, and could cause unpredictable funding cuts to vulnerable services, a warning echoed by Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

1 of 1

Story summary

White House Office of Management and Budget issued a draft rule letting political appointees decide grant awards.
Published May 29, the rule opens a 45-day comment period ending July 13.
Scientists, the Planetary Society and 100,000 commenters say the rule would replace merit-based review with political criteria, ban study of disparate-impact liability, and could cause unpredictable funding cuts to vulnerable services, a warning echoed by Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Zoe Lofgren.