Congress delays implementation of OMB proposal to dramatically alter federal research funding

Congress has passed and the President has signed legislation which prohibits the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing proposed changes to the Uniform Guidance for federal assistance until no sooner than December 11. OMB's target date for implementing the proposal was October 1, although it must consider nearly 500,000 comments received with an estimated 95% opposing the proposal. The expiration of the ban in December coincides with the new deadline to extend government funding, and AOTA will continue to support efforts urging OMB to abandon or revise the proposal.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins of Maine and Ranking Member Patty Murray of Washington among others are demanding changes to the proposal which would overtly politicize grants and federal assistance across the entire federal government. AOTA submitted its own comments to OMB expressing opposition to specific changes to the Uniform Guidance which would tighten political oversight, restrict certain allowable costs, and formalize many of the executive orders which have been issued in the past year.

The proposed changes would impact grants and funding provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and numerous other federal agencies covering a wide array of research topics. The proposed changes would also add restrictions to how federal funds could be used by grantees.