Comment from Matthew Cuthbert

Hello, As a taxpayer & a citizen of this country I find many of the proposed rule changes deeply concerning. The direction and funding for grants should be decided by a bipartisan committee of scientists who will make informed decisions that are research based not decisions that a aligned with a political party every four years. We were once a country whose knowledge and scientific achievements were revered worldwide. I fear that has changed as we are losing our brightest minds to nations who have not politicized the research and grant making/approval process. As a taxpayer, rule changes such as proposed in section 200.340 mean funds previously allocated could be cancelled simply at the whim of leadership who finds the research objectionable, meaning the progress thus far and funds used would be a complete waste. Section 200.205 also concerns me as political appointees can override good scientific consensus around whether a study should or shouldn't be funded. This opens the door to ignore facts derived on the basis of peer review in favor of handing out taxpayer funds to pet projects that hold no scientific value. This will further erode quality and trust in the United States as a leader in science on the world stage. Please reconsider these rule changes to allow the United States and our research community the opportunity to regain it's standing on the world stage. Keep politics out of the public need for good science and the grants that support our movement forward in all the sciences. Thank you