A group of 44 California lawmakers has called on the White House budget office to rethink a proposed federal grant rule, expressing concerns that political influence over research funding could harm American science and benefit China. Senators Adam Schiff, Alex Padilla, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, and others highlighted the potential risks in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought.
The lawmakers emphasized that the proposed rule could weaken the United States’ competitiveness, especially as China aims to lead in science, particularly space science, by 2050. They pointed out China’s investments in space missions to Neptune and Mars sample return missions, cautioning that the rule might allow non-experts to shape NASA’s future.
According to the lawmakers, the proposed regulation, affecting grant reviews and financial assistance proposals across the federal government, could grant political appointees control over grant reviews, compromising transparency and independent scientific judgment. They warned that this move could impede research progress in critical areas like cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and space exploration technologies.
The lawmakers also raised concerns about potential repercussions on research continuity in the U.S., citing China’s attractive offers to American scientists. They highlighted that the rule’s new eligibility requirements, including participation in the E-Verify program, could pose challenges for various entities like universities, international researchers, farmers, and small businesses.
The lawmakers stressed that the rule could have long-lasting effects, potentially hindering the nation’s progress in health, innovation, research, and scientific development. They underscored the importance of merit-based reviews in federal grant allocation, which has historically supported advancements in medicine, national security, and technology.
