Comment from Kira Becker

Hello, My name is Kira Becker and I am a lab technician of a behavioral neuroscience lab at Michigan State University who strongly disagrees with the changes proposed by the Office of Management and Budget. Specifically, sub-section 200.205 is concerning to me because it requires every discretionary grant to be personally reviewed and approved by a senior political appointee, giving them the power to override peer review. I take issue with this because scientific funding decisions should be made by qualified experts and not political officials. This effects not only my training and career, but it effects the careers of my lab mates, coworkers, mentors, and mentees. Additionally, sub-section 200.454 makes journal subscriptions unallowable, making neuroscience journals unavailable to myself and my peers. This effects me personally because I will be unable to access research in my own field and will prevent my peers and I to contribute to our fields and advance scientific research. These changes would harm me personally because it effects the funding my lab and university receives, the ability of myself and my peers to contribute to our scientific community and advance research in topics we are passionate about, and impacts our livelihood and careers. I am writing to strongly oppose this OMB regulation.