Merit Restoration Act
To prohibit Federal research agencies and recipients of Federal research grants from using a prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice with respect to Federal research grants, and for other purposes.
This bill, known as the Merit Restoration Act, aims to prevent federal research agencies and recipients of federal research grants from employing certain diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. The bill targets specific practices that it deems prohibited, although it does not detail which ones. The main goal is to ensure that federal research funding is awarded based on merit rather than diversity initiatives.
The bill would affect federal research agencies and any organization or individual receiving federal research grants. By prohibiting certain diversity, equity, or inclusion practices, the bill seeks to change how research grants are awarded, potentially impacting who gets funded and the types of research projects that receive support. However, the specific practices targeted by the bill are not outlined in the summary.
As of June 2, 2026, the bill has been introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for further consideration. This is the first step in the legislative process, and the committee will review the bill and may hold hearings or make recommendations for changes before it moves forward.
