New Pro-Taxpayer Rule Will Leave Activist Bureaucrats Reaching For Kleenex

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The federal government distributes roughly $1 trillion through grants and other financial assistance. For too long, these funds have flowed with insufficient oversight, often advancing ideological agendas rather than national priorities. 

President Donald Trump and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought are attempting to change that.

The OMB proposed revisions to 2 CFR mark a decisive shift. By transforming the Uniform Guidance into a binding Uniform Grants Regulation, OMB is delivering transparency, accountability and alignment with the will of the American people.

Critics in academia, scientific societies and Senate Democrats warn of “politicization,” threats to “international collaboration” and harm to “broadening participation.” These objections mask resistance to basic reforms: ensuring taxpayer dollars serve U.S. interests, prioritizing merit and curbing waste, fraud and abuse. The proposed changes empower policymakers over entrenched bureaucrats to steer funding, while imposing rigorous safeguards.

Central to the reforms is restoring decision-making authority to administration officials accountable to the public. Updates to merit reviews require senior appointees to conduct independent reviews of discretionary awards. Proposals must demonstrably advance federal law and presidential priorities, with agencies exercising judgment beyond routine deference to peer........

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