MERIT Act

I 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 3499 To prohibit affirmative action in Federal Government hiring and other personnel actions, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 25, 2021 Mr. GOSAR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- tion of the committee concerned A BILL To prohibit affirmative action in Federal Government hiring and other personnel actions, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Making Excellence Re- 4 place Identity Traits Act’’ or the ‘‘MERIT Act’’. 5 SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN FED- 6 ERAL GOVERNMENT HIRING. 7 The Federal Government may not establish, imple- 8 ment, or otherwise carry out any hiring practice or pro- 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:11 Jun 28, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H3499.IH H3499 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 3499 IH gram that uses affirmative action based on race, color, re- 1 ligion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or- 2 igin, or disability as a basis for a personnel action with 3 respect to Federal employees or members of the uniformed 4 services, and no Federal funds may be provided to any 5 entity (including Federal contractors (or subcontractors 6 thereof)) that has in place any such practice or program. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:11 Jun 28, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H3499.IH H3499 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS