Senate blocks OMB grant rule amid push to curb Trump-era spending tactics

The Senate approved a continuing resolution that bars the OMB from enforcing a proposed rule giving political appointees more sway over federal grants, a move championed by Senators Patty Murray and Susan Collins.

On Monday the Senate cleared a continuing resolution that funds the federal government through December 11 while explicitly prohibiting the Office of Management and Budget from rolling out a May-draft rule that would expand senior political appointees' authority over grant allocations. The rule, which attracted more than 62,123 public comments—most critical—would require grant reviews for consistency with law, agency priorities, and the national interest, and would mandate alignment with the president’s policy goals.

Senators Patty Murray and Susan Collins praised the provision, saying it stops a politicization of grants that could damage small, rural areas and biomedical research. Their objection follows earlier clashes with the Trump administration over pocket rescissions and the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency’s controversial cuts. The episode underscores ongoing tensions between congressional control of the purse and expanding executive influence, highlighting calls for a return to a full annual budgeting process that has been rare since 1997.