Congress has an opportunity to protect the stability and integrity of federal funding, safeguard the nation’s academic public health infrastructure, and prevent a government shutdown.

The Senate has advanced a bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) that would keep the federal government funded through December 11. Importantly, the Senate bill also includes language preventing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from implementing its proposed changes to the federal Uniform Guidance during the CR.

The House should pass the CR and preserve the Senate-passed OMB language.

OMB's proposed rule would make sweeping changes to how federal grants are reviewed, awarded, administered, and potentially terminated. The proposal would give agencies greater authority to terminate awards based on agency priorities and increase the role of political appointees in grants that have already undergone merit-based review.

These changes could create significant uncertainty for universities, researchers, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and other federal grant recipients.

As outlined in ASPPH’s public comment letter, for academic public health, predictable federal funding is essential to conduct research, train the public health workforce, support community partnerships, and maintain the capacity to prevent disease and respond to emerging health threats. Greater uncertainty could disrupt multi-year research and training programs and weaken the rigorous, independent peer-review process that is fundamental to scientific integrity.

The Senate's provision provides additional time for Congress and stakeholders to examine the consequences of these significant changes before they take effect.

Contact your representative and urge the House to:

• Pass the CR and prevent a government shutdown.
• Retain the Senate-passed language preventing implementation of OMB's proposed Uniform Guidance proposed rule through December 11.
• Protect merit-based federal grantmaking and independent scientific peer review.