Comment from Peter Hirschfeld

[200.205, 200.340] To Whom it May Concern: I am Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Florida, with 35 years of experience in condensed matter theory. I am writing in my personal capacity to oppose the proposed revisions to sections 200.205 and 200.340 that would undermine the integrity of federal grant review processes and federal science agencies' ability to identify and fund impactful research. While the substance of my scientific research does not conflict with stated policy goals of the current administration, some of my collaborations have been with scientists in China and other countries where the administration has placed strict limits on exchanges. My biggest worry about termination of grants for arbitrary political reasons is the deleterious impact it will have on the careers of young researchers supported by the grants. These are the brightest minds in the field, and the proposed policy would seem to have consequences that will drive them away. The proposed policy will skew proposal topics away from the most important scientific directions, both with respect to pure intellectual challenges as well as research with the greatest impact on societal problems.