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HR 3499 117th Congress House Government Operations and Politics

MERIT Act

Introduced: May 25, 2021 Introduced by: Gosar, Paul A. Republican · Arizona See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 25, 2021
Introduced in House
May 25, 2021
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 jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Making Excellence Replace Identity Traits Act or the MERIT Act

This bill prohibits the federal government from establishing or implementing any hiring practice or program for federal employees or members of the uniformed services that uses affirmative action as a basis for personnel action, specifically affirmative action based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. The bill also prohibits the award of federal funds to entities that use such a practice or program, including contractors.

What's happening now May 25, 2021

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 jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3499: MERIT Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3499/
MLA
"H.R. 3499: MERIT Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3499/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3499, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3499/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3499: MERIT Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3499/)
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