Comment on FR Doc # 2026-12725 from Mary Riddle

Russell Vought is continuing his attempts to destroy American science & federally funded research. Last month, he launched OMBs proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance rule, which sparked unprecedented pushback from the public NSF's proposal aims to align its grantmaking rules with OMB's Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, conforming to requirements like all grants needing approval by political appointees, bans on international collaborations, and restricting communications and publishing. The NSF proposal creates additional institutional requirements, imposes significant economic impacts on grantees, and implements sweeping regulatory control over institutes of higher education via information collection. This attempt to regulate speech and academic freedom at independent universities is a gross overreach of NSF's authority. This extension of the OMB proposal is another direct threat to scientific independence, public health, and evidence-based decision-making! It is part of ongoing attempts to weaponize research funding. Stop Vought immediately and protect independent science from political interference!