Senators Propose Temporary Delay to OMB Grants Rule

A controversial rule that would give the Trump administration more control over grants won’t take effect until mid-December—at least—under a Senate plan to temporarily fund the government.

The Senate plan, released Sunday, would prevent the government from shutting down after Sept. 30 when the fiscal year ends. Higher education research advocates praised the delay in the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed changes to the federal grant rules. Thousands of critics in and outside higher ed opposed the rule in public comments, saying it could undercut research and all the societal benefits that flow from it.

“Across the country, individuals and groups representing medical research, agriculture, law enforcement, transportation, housing, and others have sounded the alarm on this proposed rule’s destructive impact on key priorities of the American people,” Russ Paulsen, president and CEO of Research!America said in a news release shortly after the continuing resolution (CR) was released. “Congress now needs to pass this version of the CR. It would not only keep the government open, but it would safeguard scientific progress.”

The continuing resolution in the House to keep the government open does not block the OMB rule, so it’s unclear whether the Senate’s version will ultimately succeed. And both options expire in December, providing only temporary relief to opponents of the OMB rule.

So, while Democrats appreciate the support from moderate Republicans—like Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—which is needed to advance the bipartisan bill, some argue it’s still not enough.

“It’s good that we were able to produce a much-improved CR to keep the government funded and avert a shutdown that no one wants … but I hope everyone who shares my frustration that Republicans refuse to do more to stand up to this president will join us in speaking out and speaking up for change in every way possible,” Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, said in a news release. “While Republicans rejected killing the proposed rule outright, I’m going to keep fighting to put a stop to it once and for all, and I will keep pressing my Republican colleagues to do exactly that.”

Under the CR, all funding for higher education would remain flat. The bill does not address the looming Pell shortfall.

The bill is slated to receive a Senate floor vote by the end of the week before lawmakers leave for a five-week recess.