Russ Vought's OMB Shakeups: Ending Climate Research, Flexible Software Security Policies

Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, made headlines this week by announcing the breakup of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR. America Online reports that Vought shared the news on X Tuesday night, aiming to end the centers focus on climate science amid ongoing debates over federal research priorities. On Friday, Vought issued a memo rescinding two Biden-era policies on software security. CyberScoop details how the move eliminates mandatory secure software development attestation forms, calling them unproven and burdensome. Vought wrote that agency heads must assure software and hardware security through tailored risk assessments, allowing optional use of software bills of materials, or SBOMs, for better transparency. Nextgov and MeriTalk confirm the rescission of memoranda M-22-18 and M-23-16, stemming from the 2021 SolarWinds response, shifting to flexible agency-led approaches. Earlier actions by Vought drew criticism in biomedical circles. Don Moynihan Substack, citing NIH scientist Mark Histed, notes that in July Voughts OMB memo halted new National Institutes of Health grants, part of efforts to slow spending and push rescissions. Bipartisan Senate pressure forced a reversal, preserving funds but highlighting tensions over presidential control of science agencies. Senator Dick Durbin referenced Vought in a January 24 statement, announcing his vote against a Department of Homeland Security funding bill amid broader budget fights extending to January 30. These moves reflect Voughts role in implementing efficiency reforms, including ties to Project 2025, as tracked by the Center for Progressive Reform. Listeners, thank you for tuning in, and please subscribe for more updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.