Shutdown-Averting Funding Bill Pushes Back Controversial OMB Grants Rule to December

President Trump recently signed a continuing resolution funding the government through December 11 and delaying a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule that would give political appointees greater power over federal grantmaking. Under the legislation, OMB cannot finalize the rule until December 12, giving the agency more time to review the public comments it received. Inside Higher Ed reports that groups have warned the proposal would let political appointees override researchers’ peer-review judgments about which science gets funded. Research!America, which opposes the changes, said the delay gives opponents additional time to try to stop the rule permanently, with its president warning it would undermine “safety, security, prosperity, and progress” if finalized.