OMB Grant Rule and DEI Rollback Reshape Federal Funding
Key Questions
What changes does the OMB proposed grant rule introduce for federal funding?
The rule allows political appointees to override merit-based decisions, bans disparate-impact liability, and targets DEI, abortion, and gender ideology in grants. Criteria are shifting focus from race/ethnicity to rurality and socioeconomic class.
How has the public and legal community responded to the OMB grant rule?
Over 100,000 comments opposed the changes, and 23 Democratic governors filed a joint challenge. The Council for Exceptional Children submitted formal comments raising concerns about peer review and conference attendance.
What court action has affected federal grants under these policies?
A federal judge temporarily restored $127 million in USDA grants for underserved farmers, serving as a check on executive overreach in grantmaking.
OMB proposed rules allowing political appointees to override merit-based grant decisions, banning disparate-impact liability, and targeting DEI, abortion, gender ideology. Over 100,000 comments opposing; 23 Democratic governors filed joint challenge. New details show federal grant criteria shifting focus from race/ethnicity to rurality and socioeconomic class. Comment deadline July 10; rule likely finalized soon. Impacts cancer trials, affordable housing, maternal health. Special education community (CEC) raised concerns about peer review and conference attendance; CEC formally submitted comments. Federal judge restores $127M in USDA grants for underserved farmers, another check on executive overreach.