Tell Congress How the OMB Proposed Rule Would Impact Research and Science

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is proposing sweeping changes to the federal regulations that govern grants and other forms of federal financial assistance. If finalized, these changes will significantly affect how universities, medical centers, research institutes, and scientific organizations receive and manage federal research funding, including by:

Usurping the role of independent, expert peer review in funding decisions.
Increasing political influence over which research projects receive federal support.
Limiting collaboration with colleagues across institutions and around the world.
Creating barriers to publishing and disseminating research findings that are critical to scientific progress.
Making it more difficult to participate in scientific conferences, where researchers share novel findings, establish collaborations, and receive feedback on their work.

During the public comment period, ASHG joined nearly 500,000 commenters in urging OMB to reconsider these proposals, highlighting how these changes are detrimental to the research enterprise. Now, Congress needs to hear directly from you so that lawmakers can exercise their oversight and legislative authority to prevent implementation of these changes and protect the independence of federally funded scientific research.

Tell your Members of Congress why withdrawing this proposed rule is important and how they can help:

Enforce Congress’s constitutional authority over federal spending by ensuring research funding priorities remain aligned with congressional appropriations and oversight.
Prevent an adverse impact on your ability to communicate, collaborate, share data, publish findings, and engage openly with the global scientific community.
Safeguard the integrity of federal research funding by maintaining independent, expert peer review and awarding funds based on scientific excellence and merit.
Protect the stability of the research enterprise to sustain jobs, attract federal and private investment, strengthen local economies, and ensure scientific discoveries continue to improve the lives of patients and families in your community.

Personal stories and local examples are especially valuable. As a reference, here are ASHG's formal comments in response to the proposed rule.

Amplify ASHG's Message to Lawmakers

Fri, 08 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This week, ASHG members are holding virtual meetings with Congressional offices. They’re sharing a powerful message: human genetics and genomics research is transforming medicine, strengthening the U.S. workforce, and fueling American scientific leadership.

Now is the perfect moment to add your voice. Lawmakers need to hear directly from you about why this research matters—and how federal investment makes a real difference.

Here’s what we’re emphasizing in meetings this week:

Human genetics research is saving lives: Breakthroughs in genetics and genomics research are enabling earlier diagnoses, more precise treatments, and better prevention strategies for countless diseases.
NIH funding drives the next generation of scientists: Federal investment supports training programs, early-career investigators, and research opportunities that keep the strongest biomedical workforce here in the U.S.
Proposed NIH cuts threaten scientific progress: The President’s Budget Request proposes a 12.2% cut to NIH, threatening grant funding, jobs, and the pace of life-saving research—while weakening our ability to attract and retain top talent.
Investing in research is essential: ASHG is urging Congress to appropriate at least $51.3 billion for NIH and $1.7 billion for ARPA?H in FY 2027.

Take action today. Congress needs to hear from you about how federal research funding supports your work, your institution, your patients, and your community.

Please enter your personal contact information (not your institution’s address) to ensure your message reaches your correct Members of Congress.

We strongly encourage you to personalize your message by sharing how federally funded research impacts your work—or how funding cuts could affect it. If you work at a state university and are not sure if you can act, please check with your institution's federal relations office.

You can also call your elected officials directly through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224?3121.

Together, we can amplify ASHG’s message and make sure Congress understands why sustained federal investment in genetics and genomics research is essential—now and for the future.

Current Actions

Tell Congress How the OMB Proposed Rule Would Impact Research and Science

Amplify ASHG's Message to Lawmakers