Senate Continuing Resolution Includes Temporary Block on Proposed Federal Grants Rule

The US Senate has advanced a bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the federal government through December 11, but the measure must still pass the House before it can become law. The legislation would temporarily prohibit the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from issuing, finalizing, or implementing its proposed federal grants rule while Congress continues work on annual appropriations and broader discussions about the future of federal grantmaking. If the provision is not included in a final funding package, the rule is currently scheduled to take effect on October 1. The Senate proposal reflects growing bipartisan concern about the potential impact of the proposed Uniform Guidance rule on the federal research enterprise.

ASPPH has been actively engaged throughout the rulemaking process, submitting comments to OMB outlining concerns that the proposal could undermine the integrity of the competitive grants process by increasing political influence over funding decisions. ASPPH also encouraged member schools and programs of public health to submit their own comments in support of a transparent, merit-based grantmaking system grounded in scientific peer review.

ASPPH will continue to monitor both the appropriations process and the future of the proposed grants rule while advocating for federal research policies that strengthen scientific independence, support innovation, and ensure the continued success of academic public health institutions.