ASM Opposes Further Politicization of Research
ASM is deeply concerned by reports of a pending Executive Order that would give the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) unprecedented authority to play a role in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding decisions.
It was reported that the White House Office of Management and Budget was directed to draft an Executive Order creating a new board to approve NIH grants, despite strong disagreement by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya. This proposed board would give political appointees unprecedented oversight of billions of dollars in biomedical research funding. This latest development is part of a disturbing trend to politicize science and override Congressional authority to make federal funding decisions that reflect the needs of their constituents, the American public.
Last month, the scientific community rallied in opposition to the proposed OMB regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, which would also give political appointees greater control of federal grants. Thanks to strong advocacy by the public, Congress included a provision in a stopgap funding bill that temporarily blocks the implementation of this harmful rule.
Congress must also reject this new tactic by the White House to hinder scientific freedom, which would force federal funders and recipients to focus on burdensome policy requirements that may be unrelated to or not in alignment with core purposes of federal grant programs. This takes up time, energy and taxpayer resources.
