DPH Mobilizes Opposition to Proposed OMB Rule Giving Political Appointees Control Over Federal Grants
By
Action Network
Not artisan, but a perfectly fine bagel. Hits the spot.
Summary
The article is an urgent call-to-action from DPH (Democracy for Public Health) regarding a proposed OMB rule (docket OMB-2026-0034) that would give political appointees final authority over all federal grants, potentially eliminating expert scientific review. The rule would allow grants to be terminated without cause and institutions to be discriminated against based on political alignment. DPH is organizing an emergency General Assembly on June 16, 2026, featuring Dr. Elizabeth Ginexi (former NIH official who resigned in protest) and Robert Weissman (Public Citizen co-president) to discuss the implications and coordinate opposition through public comments, congressional outreach, and coalition building.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledThis will devastate science, public health, state and local governments and any agency, organization or individual that relies on federal grants.
The proposed rule would require a political appointee to have the final say on every grant, from science to infrastructure, without needing to consider expert opinion.
Grants may be terminated for no reason at any time; institutions can be discriminated against based on whether or not they support the current administration policies.
She left NIH in April 2025 because she witnessed the new leadership replacing NIH's scientifically-driven system with one that is politically directed and violates the Public Health Service Act of 1944.
This is a 5-alarm emergency.
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