Politics
House passes stopgap funding bill to block political oversight of federal research grants
The short-term funding measure, which extends through December 11, now heads to the president after passing both congressional chambers.
The short version
- The U.S. House voted 370 to 48 to approve a stopgap government-funding bill.
- The legislation temporarily halts a White House plan to grant political appointees greater authority over federal research grants.
- Because the Senate previously approved the measure, the bill now goes to the president to be signed into law.
- The stopgap funding and the restriction on the grant policy will expire on December 11.
Key facts
- The House approved the stopgap funding legislation in a 370 to 48 vote.[STAT]
- The bill temporarily halts an administration initiative aimed at increasing political appointee oversight of federal research awards.[STAT]
- The Senate passed the identical bill one month earlier, sending the measure to the president for signature.[STAT]
- The enacted provisions fund the government and maintain the grant-policy restriction through December 11.[STAT]
What remains uncertain
- Whether Congress will extend the restriction on political oversight of research grants when the stopgap bill expires on December 11 remains unknown.[STAT]