OMB Includes English-Language Requirement for Federal Grant Announcements

Yesterday, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced significant changes to the rules governing the distribution of up to $1 trillion in federal grant funding, including several stipulations of interest to advocates of Official English.

As reported in an article from the New York Post, all recipients must use E-Verify to verify their eligibility as American citizens, and English-language requirements will now be included in all federal funding announcements.

The new rules were issued by OMB Director Russ Vought, who said previous grant regulations were too weak and contributed to wasteful spending and misuse of taxpayer funds. Under the revised policy, political appointees will have final approval authority over grant awards, and the use of grant funds will be subject to closer oversight.

ProEnglish fully supports these changes, and views them as another step towards the full implementation of President Trump’s executive order designating English as the official language of the United States.