Budzinski Leads Congressional Push Against Proposed Federal Grants Rewrite

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led two letters urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reconsider proposed changes to the federal grantmaking process that could undermine research, innovation, and critical investments in communities across the country.

The first letter, led by Representatives Budzinski and Troy Carter (D-La.), was signed by an additional 125 Members of Congress. The letter focused more generally on the impact the rule will have on the entire grant making system, and raises serious concerns about political appointees influencing decision making and overriding peer review.

The lawmakers wrote, “This proposal would represent the most sweeping and destructive transformation of the federal financial assistance system in modern history and would subordinate nonpartisan, merit-based grantmaking to political control, exposing the entire framework to serious constitutional challenge. With more than $1 trillion in annual Federal awards at stake, the consequences would be felt by every state, federally recognized tribe, city, county, research university, hospital, and countless nonprofits, community organizations, and private firms that deliver critical scientific studies and essential public service.”

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

Budzinski also joined Representative Sarah McBride (D-Del.) in leading a second letter, signed by 15 Members of Congress, raising concerns that the proposed rule would significantly threaten research and innovation in critical sectors like agriculture, directly impacting Illinois' growers.

The lawmakers wrote, “Groundbreaking scientific discoveries have emerged from U.S. research institutions working in partnership with the international agricultural community, like developing large-scale penicillin production in a United States Department of Agriculture lab using research started abroad. We are concerned the proposed rule cuts out international partners, creates unnecessary red tape, and risks slowing agricultural innovation. In a global marketplace, international cooperation strengthens domestic agriculture and helps keep grocery prices lower for American consumers.”

The full text of the second letter can be found HERE.

Budzinski has facilitated millions in federal grant money for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Notable recent funding includes a $51 million award for the Illinois Fermentation and Agricultural Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub, $7.5 million for environmental research, $4.2 million for energy and infrastructure research, and $1.2 million for the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory.

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