Moulton Leads Massachusetts Congressional Delegation Colleagues Urging OMB to Protect Merit-Based Federal Research Funding

SALEM, MA - Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) today led a group of his colleagues from the Massachusetts congressional delegation in submitting public comments opposing the Trump Administration's proposed changes to the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Guidance governing federal grants, warning that the revisions would inject politics into scientific research funding and threaten America's global leadership in innovation.

The letter, signed by Reps. Katherine Clark (MA-05), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09), argues that the proposed rule would allow political appointees to influence grant decisions that have long been based on scientific merit and rigorous peer review.

"Massachusetts is home to the world's leading research institutions because we've built a system that rewards excellence instead of political loyalty," said Congressman Moulton. "The Trump Administration's proposal would undermine decades of scientific progress by allowing politics to dictate which research gets funded. At a time when we're competing with China and other global rivals for leadership in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and advanced medicine, we should be strengthening America's research enterprise, not sabotaging it."

In their letter, the Members warn that the proposed revisions would give agencies broad discretion to terminate grants and require political review of funding decisions to ensure they align with the President's policy priorities. They argue these changes would discourage scientific innovation, delay lifesaving medical breakthroughs, weaken economic competitiveness, and erode public confidence in the integrity of federally funded research.

The Members also highlight Massachusetts' role as a global hub for biotechnology, life sciences, advanced medicine, robotics, and clean energy, noting that the Commonwealth's universities, hospitals, research institutions, and innovative companies drive economic growth, create jobs, and produce breakthroughs that strengthen both America's economy and national security.

The delegation urged OMB to withdraw the proposed revisions and preserve the longstanding principle that federal research funding should be awarded based on scientific merit, expertise, and public benefit-not political considerations.

The full letter can be read here.

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