APTA Urges Members to Act Against Proposed Changes to Federal Grantmaking

APTA is urging its members to join a nationwide effort to permanently block proposed changes to federal grantmaking rules that could create significant uncertainty for public transportation agencies and other recipients of federal funding.

The National Council of Nonprofits has organized a National Day of Action on November 10, calling on organizations and advocates across the United States to contact Congress and oppose the proposed revisions to the federal government’s Uniform Guidance. Organizations can also sign a national letter urging Congress to permanently block the changes through November 11.

The proposal, developed by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would substantially overhaul the rules governing federal grants, cooperative agreements, and other financial awards to nonprofits, state and local governments, and other organizations. If implemented, the changes could give any Administration unprecedented discretion to withhold, suspend, or terminate federal awards, as well as alter grant terms and conditions after an award is underway.

For public transportation agencies, the potential consequences are significant. Federal grants support essential transit operations, capital investments, infrastructure improvements, vehicle purchases, safety initiatives, and other services that communities depend on. Changes that make federal funding less predictable could jeopardize project schedules, increase administrative and legal costs, complicate long-term financial planning, and undermine agencies’ ability to deliver promised improvements and services.

The proposed revisions could also allow federal awards to be determined by partisan considerations rather than objective criteria, community needs, and congressional intent, while reducing transparency in the grantmaking process. Faced with unpredictable financial, legal, and reputational risks, some otherwise qualified organizations and public agencies could decide that accepting federal awards is no longer feasible.

The resulting disruptions could extend well beyond transportation, affecting housing, community development, health, education, food assistance, disaster recovery, and other essential services. The proposal also threatens congressionally funded programs designed to address longstanding disparities and serve underserved communities.

Congress took action in September, enacting bipartisan legislation that temporarily prevents the Administration from finalizing or implementing the proposed changes until December 11, 2026. The delay followed the submission of nearly 500,000 public comments, the majority opposing the proposal. Advocates are now pressing Congress to make that protection permanent before the temporary measure expires.

APTA has already joined the effort. On August 31, the association signed a coalition letter alongside 105 national nonprofit, public, and community-based organizations urging Congress to prevent OMB from implementing the proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance, or any substantially similar policy. Passenger Transport previously reported on the coalition’s action in “Coalition Letter Urges a Stop to OMB’s Sweeping Overhaul of Federal Grantmaking.”

During APTA’s Legislative Committee meeting at the recent TRANSform Conference & EXPO in Chicago, IL, attendees heard from Sarah Saadian, senior vice president of the National Council of Nonprofits. Saadian informed members of the following ways to get involved:

• Sign the national letter. Join nearly 2,000 organizations nationwide in urging Congress to permanently block the proposed changes. The letter remains open for signatures through November 11.
• Contact members of Congress. Call or email both Republican and Democratic representatives and senators, urging them to protect the communities and organizations that rely on federal grants and permanently block the proposed revisions.
• Participate in the National Day of Action. On November 10, join advocates nationwide in contacting congressional offices and sharing information about the issue through social media.

APTA also submitted comments to the Federal Register, and APTA members have advocated on Capitol Hill opposing the proposed rule and its policies.

Learn more: APTA Talking Points – Block OMB from Issuing Final Rule on Federal Grant Management