Restoring Merit in the Military Act

The Restoring Merit in the Military Act would require that all Department of Defense (DoD) personnel actions—such as entrance into service, promotions, assignments, command selections, and the selection and training for military and civilian schooling—be based exclusively on individual merit, fitness, capability, and performance. It would prohibit considering a service member’s race, ethnicity, or national origin in any DoD personnel action. The bill preserves a narrow exception for tasking on specific, unconventional missions in foreign countries where the mission context might justify race- or ethnicity-based considerations to improve mission success; such taskings would require Combatant Command approval and a congressional reporting obligation within 60 days detailing the mission and personnel involved, including their race/ethnicity/national origin and the rationale for the tasking. The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Mace (with Rep. Carter of Georgia) and referred to the House Armed Services Committee.