ED-2025-SCC-0012 30-Day Comment Response_250709

Streamlined Clearance Process for Discretionary Grants

Response to Comments from Vol. 90. No. 85, page 18972-18973

Comment Number	Name of Commenter	Comment	Department Response
ED-2025-SCC-0012	Anonymous	“I recommend to not stream line clearance for ‘discretionary’ grants, to better prevent corruption. Discretionary grants should be prohibited because it puts the decision making into the hands of just a few people, limiting checks and balances to fight corruption. Take for example the tariff ‘negotiations’ supposedly going on. The negotiations are being led by a select few, supervised by a convicted criminal known for frauds, cons, and lies.”	The streamlined clearance process is meant to reduce the time needed to open a grant competition; it does not establish whether particular programs are discretionary, which is determined by a program’s statute.  The Department follows its procedures outlined in part 75 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations when implementing a discretionary grant program. As such, no changes are necessary.