ELC Urges Federal Office of Management and Budget to Withdraw Dangerous Proposal
Education Law Center submitted public comments opposing the federal government’s sweeping proposal to change the rules governing federal grantmaking and other forms of financial assistance. The proposal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would politicize the federal financial award process and impose significant, and in some cases unlawful, restrictions on the use of federal funds.
ELC’s comments focus on the most significant implications for public schools, districts and states receiving federal funding, and particularly for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs and those that recognize and support transgender students. For example, the proposal’s vague language prohibiting grantees from engaging in DEIA or LGTBQ+ activities could lead to schools ending lawful efforts to ensure equal opportunity or serve vulnerable student populations. The comments also address the OMB proposal’s attempt to weaken and undermine civil rights laws designed to address discrimination.
In addition, the comments describe how the proposed rule politicizes the federal award process by granting political appointees unilateral oversight in award selection and termination. The increased discretion afforded to federal agencies, plus the shifting landscape as to what constitutes prohibited behavior, creates a risky, destabilizing funding environment for federal grantees because it is unclear how to comply. These untenable, unfair requirements could seriously jeopardize crucial federal funding for state education agencies, school districts, and education-related nonprofit organizations, which often already face resource limitations.
“The harmful OMB proposal frustrates and undermines efforts to address longstanding racial and socioeconomic disparities in our schools and communities,” said Katrina Reichert, Staff Attorney at Education Law Center. “OMB should rescind the regulation and instead adopt policies that ensure all children attend safe, inclusive, well-resourced, and discrimination-free schools.”
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ELC OPPOSES PROPOSED ANTI-DEI REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL FUNDING GRANTEES
Press Contact:
Sharon Krengel
Director of Policy, Strategic Partnerships and Communications
skrengel@edlawcenter.org
973-624-1815, x240