USA: Submit a public comment on the proposed federal grant rule and call/email Congress

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A new advocacy action for US residents - deadline July 13.

Solve ME has posted information on their website and on their Bluesky account asking people to submit public comments about the proposed federal grant rule and also call/mail Congress.

Here's the website article about how to submit a public comment:

How to Submit a Public Comment on the Proposed Federal Grant Rule - Solve ME/CFS Initiative

Use our guide to make your voice heard!

solvecfs.org

Why your comment matters even if the rule still moves forward

When the federal government proposes a new rule, it is required by law to give the public a chance to weigh in and to read and respond to what people say.

Here’s why that matters, even if the rule isn’t stopped outright:

- The government is asking for help figuring out the real cost. OMB released this rule without calculating how much damage it would actually do. They made it clear that they want the public to help fill in that picture. When you describe what this rule would mean for your life, your care, or the research you’re waiting on, that information goes into the official record the government has to consider before moving forward.

- Your comment can help in court. If this rule is challenged by a lawsuit after it goes into effect, judges will look at whether the government took public concerns seriously. Legal challenges are expected due to the sweeping nature of the regulation. Every specific, thoughtful comment submitted before the deadline strengthens the case that the government was warned and didn’t listen.

- Congress is watching. When thousands of people submit comments on a rule, it sends a signal to lawmakers that the issue is serious enough to act on, whether that means holding hearings, blocking funding for implementation, or passing legislation to override it.

- The government has to review all comments. If enough people raise a specific problem with a specific part of the rule, OMB is required to either fix it or explain why they didn’t. That’s how the worst provisions get weakened or removed. In this case, one big protest is less effective than a large collection of clear, specific objections they can’t ignore.

And here's their automated tool for contacting Congress:

Advocacy Action Center

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Congress doesn't vote on this rule directly — but your members of Congress can urge OMB to withdraw the most harmful provisions and extend the comment period, submit their own comments before July 13, and use Congress's funding and oversight powers to protect merit-based research.