A sweeping proposed rule that would transfer federal grantmaking decisions from scientific experts to senior political appointees is "dystopian," "disastrous," and a "flagrant assault on our democracy," scientists and health advocates said.
The White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) document, issued May 28, seeks to give the Trump administration authority over funding throughout the government, they said.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) said that if finalized, the White House rule "would replace scientific merit with McCarthy-era politics," and called on Congress to block the rule.
IDSA president Ronald Nahass, MD, said in a statement that the rule would compromise "medical research, public health, and healthcare access for vulnerable populations."
"Make no mistake, the impacts of this proposed rule would be dire; it would fundamentally alter the U.S. approach to science, drive away multitudes of researchers, and eliminate the promise of lifesaving cures for decades to come," he added. "Placing grant decisions in the hands of politicians and requiring that scientists adhere to the Administration's ideology is a serious limitation on civil liberties and would diminish the development of high-quality research."
