WASHINGTON, D.C. — The public comment period for an Office of Management and Budget proposal to overhaul federal grant-making procedures closed this week. The rule has drawn almost half a million responses, with analyses indicating that up to 95% of the comments oppose the measure.

The Office of Management and Budget proposed a more than 400-page overhaul of the federal grant-making process in May. The proposal would place nearly $1tn in grant-making authority under the control of political appointees by October. The plan criticizes policies characterized as woke, bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and prohibits undefined anti-American values.

Of the potential $1tn affected by the proposal, $150bn is typically invested in science and technology. The proposal would discourage international scientific collaboration and require demonstration of presidential priorities. It also allows the government to consider an applicant's affiliations with organizations engaged in activities that violate federal law, undermine public safety or national security, or advocate for the overthrow of the United States government. The proposal allows the federal government to cancel awards that are no longer in the federal government's interest.

The administration allowed 45 days for public comments on the proposal. Russell Vought is the Office of Management and Budget director. Vought described criticism of the rule from non-profits as a "freakout by those on the left." The White House "fraud taskforce" stated the rule would ensure "American taxpayers will no longer be forced to fund woke NGOs with partisan agendas." The Heritage Foundation supports the OMB rule.

Tammy Baldwin, Senator, criticized the administration's approach. "President Trump and [OMB director] Russell Vought are not only breaking the law, but they are also once again endangering the health and safety of Americans," Baldwin said. "Americans expect their taxpayer dollars to be put to research that has the best chance at delivering a breakthrough or cure for a disease, not wielded like a cudgel to punish the president's perceived enemies and score political points."

Rob Bonta, Attorney General, voiced opposition to the scope of the changes. "The Trump administration is once again attempting to weaponize essential federal funding to advance its policy priorities," Bonta said. "Except this time, it's not just one agency, it's almost all of them." Bonta added that "This proposal aims to undermine practically every industry and public service supported by federal funding." Twenty-two state attorneys general have united to oppose the OMB rule.

Nancy Krieger received an email from the National Institutes of Health canceling her nearly $1m grant to study how discrimination affects population health. The National Institutes of Health has a budget of $47bn. A protest over threats to research funding occurred at the University of Illinois Chicago.

The scale of the proposed changes extends far beyond research grants, affecting a broad range of federal funding mechanisms. The consolidation of nearly $1tn in authority under political appointees represents a significant shift in how federal funds are distributed and monitored. With the public comment period closed and opposition widespread, the administration faces legal and political challenges as it moves toward implementing the rule by October.