[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5046 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5046
To require that appointments and selections to United States Military
Academy, United States Naval Academy, and United States Air Force
Academy be made solely in order of merit as determined by a
standardized candidate composite score, to prohibit the consideration
of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in service
academy admissions, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 26, 2025
Ms. Mace introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require that appointments and selections to United States Military
Academy, United States Naval Academy, and United States Air Force
Academy be made solely in order of merit as determined by a
standardized candidate composite score, to prohibit the consideration
of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in service
academy admissions, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Restoring Merit in the Military
Service Academies Act''.
SEC. 2. SERVICE ACADEMIES; APPOINTMENTS AND ADDITIONAL APPOINTEES;
PROHIBITION ON CONSIDERATION OF RACE, SEX, COLOR,
ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AND RELIGION.
(a) United States Military Academy.--
(1) Appointments.--Section 7442 of title 10, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``subsection (j)'' and
inserting ``subsection (k)'';
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ``as
established by competitive examinations'' and
inserting ``as determined by candidate
composite score rank''; and
(iii) in the matter following paragraph
(10)--
(I) in the second sentence--
(aa) by inserting ``(in
which event selection shall be
in order of merit as determined
by candidate composite score
rank)'' after ``may be
submitted without ranking'';
and
(bb) by striking ``9
ranked'' and inserting ``14
ranked'';
(II) by inserting after the second
sentence the following: ``If alternates
are submitted unranked, any selection
from among such unranked alternates
shall be in order of merit as
determined by candidate composite score
rank.''; and
(III) by striking ``shall be
considered qualified alternates for the
purpose of selection under other
provisions of this chapter'' and
inserting ``shall be eligible and
considered for selection under other
provisions of this chapter, including
as qualified alternates and additional
appointees'';
(B) by redesignating subsections (b) through (j) as
subsections (c) through (k), respectively;
(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following
new subsection:
``(b) There shall be appointed each year at the Academy 300
qualified alternates selected in order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank by the Secretary of the Army from
qualified candidates nominated pursuant to paragraphs (3) through (10)
of subsection (a) and all other qualified, non-selected candidates
holding nominations from any other source pursuant to this chapter.'';
(D) in subsection (c), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``one
hundred selected by the President'' and
inserting ``up to one hundred qualified
candidates selected by the President in order
of merit as determined by candidate composite
score rank'';
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking ``85'' and
inserting ``up to 85 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end;
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking ``85'' and
inserting ``up to 85 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end;
(iv) in paragraph (4)--
(I) by striking ``20'' and
inserting ``up to 20 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end; and
(v) by striking paragraph (5);
(E) in subsection (f), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B), by striking ``subsection (b)'' and
inserting ``subsection (c)'';
(F) in subsection (h), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``subsection (b)'' each
place it appears and inserting ``subsection
(c)''; and
(ii) in paragraph (4), by striking
``subsection (e)'' and inserting ``subsection
(f)''; and
(G) by adding at the end the following new
subsections:
``(l) Qualifications of candidates for admission shall be
determined by use of, among other metrics, a candidate composite score
uniformly calculated for each applicant. The academic component of such
composite score shall be weighted at not less than 60 percent of the
overall composite score and shall include the candidate's standardized
test scores, which shall be weighted at not less than 45 percent of the
overall composite score. The total of all subjective components, if
any, of the composite score shall be weighted at not more than 10
percent of the overall composite score. Any subjectively based
adjustment of the candidate composite score shall be limited to not
more than 10 percent of the score before such adjustment. Candidates'
composite scores, only, shall be used to determine order of merit.
``(m) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the
Army shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives a report, including--
``(1) with respect to the preceding admissions cycle--
``(A) the established minimum candidate composite
score and college entrance examination rank (CEER)
score used in such cycle; and
``(B) the total number of waivers of such minimum
candidate composite score or CEER score, including the
candidate composite score and CEER score of each cadet
to whom a waiver relates, a brief explanation of the
reasons for such waiver, and the category of
appointment under which each such cadet was appointed
(and if congressional, the type of slate that nominated
the waived appointee); and
``(2) for each cadet who, during the four-year period
preceding the date of the report, received a waiver for the
established minimum candidate composite score or CEER score,
the status of each such cadet, including whether the cadet is
still at the Academy, the circumstances of such cadet's
departure (if applicable), the cumulative academic GPA,
cumulative military GPA, any major conduct or honor violations,
any remedial measures undertaken, and any other noteworthy
information concerning such cadet.
``(n) The race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion
of an applicant may not be considered in a determination whether to
admit such applicant to the Academy.''.
(2) Additional appointees.--Section 7443 of title 10,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking
``appointment'' and inserting ``additional
appointments'';
(B) in the first sentence--
(i) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``If it is
determined''; and
(ii) by striking ``who competed for
nomination'' and inserting ``who were eligible
and competed unsuccessfully for nomination
under any other provision of law'';
(C) in the second sentence--
(i) by striking ``(8)'' and inserting
``(10)''; and
(ii) by striking ``holding competitive
nominations'' and inserting ``who were eligible
and competed unsuccessfully for nomination'';
and
(D) by adding at the end the following: ``All
provisions relating to candidate composite score in
section 7442 of this title shall apply to calculation
and use of candidate composite score as that term is
used in this section.''
``(b) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the
Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that
includes, with respect to the preceding admissions cycle--
``(1) the candidate composite scores and college entrance
examination rank (CEER) scores of the ten candidates appointed
under this section and under section 7442(e) of this title who
had the lowest candidate composite scores;
``(2) the total number of qualified and nominated (by any
source), but not selected, candidates; and
``(3) the candidate composite scores and CEER scores of the
ten qualified and nominated candidates having the highest
candidate composite scores and who were not selected for
appointment.''.
(b) United States Naval Academy.--
(1) Appointments.--Section 8454 of title 10, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``subsection (h)'' and
inserting ``subsection (i)'';
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ``as
established by competitive examination'' and
inserting ``as determined by candidate
composite score rank''; and
(iii) in the matter following paragraph
(10)--
(I) in the second sentence--
(aa) by inserting ``(in
which event selection shall be
in order of merit as determined
by candidate composite score
rank)'' after ``may be
submitted without ranking'';
and
(bb) by striking ``9
ranked'' and inserting ``14
ranked'';
(II) by inserting after the second
sentence the following: ``If alternates
are submitted unranked, any selection
from among such unranked alternates
shall be in order of merit as
determined by candidate composite score
rank.''; and
(III) by striking ``shall be
considered qualified alternates for the
purpose of selection under other
provisions of this chapter'' and
inserting ``shall be eligible and
considered for selection under other
provisions of this chapter, including
as qualified alternates and additional
appointees'';
(B) by redesignating subsections (b) through (h) as
subsections (c) through (i), respectively;
(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following
new subsection:
``(b) There shall be appointed each year at the Academy 300
qualified alternates selected in order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank by the Secretary of the Navy from
qualified candidates nominated pursuant to paragraphs (3) through (10)
of subsection (a) and all other qualified, non-selected candidates
holding nominations from any other source pursuant to this chapter.'';
(D) in subsection (c), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``one
hundred selected by the President'' and
inserting ``up to one hundred qualified
candidates selected by the President in order
of merit as determined by candidate composite
score rank'';
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking ``85'' and
inserting ``up to 85 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end;
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking ``85'' and
inserting ``up to 85 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end;
(iv) in paragraph (4)--
(I) by striking ``20'' and
inserting ``up to 20 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end; and
(v) by striking paragraph (5);
(E) in subsection (f), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B), by striking ``subsection (b)'' both
places it appears and inserting ``subsection (c)''; and
(F) by adding at the end the following new
subsections:
``(j) Qualifications of candidates for admission shall be
determined by use of, among other metrics, a candidate composite score
uniformly calculated for each applicant. The academic component of such
composite score shall be weighted at not less than 60 percent of the
overall composite score and shall include the candidate's standardized
test scores, which shall be weighted at not less than 45 percent of the
overall composite score. The total of all subjective components, if
any, of the composite score shall be weighted at not more than 10
percent of the overall composite score. Any subjectively based
adjustment of the candidate composite score shall be limited to not
more than 10 percent of the score before such adjustment. Candidates'
composite scores, only, shall be used to determine order of merit.
``(k) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the
Navy shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and
the House of Representatives a report, including--
``(1) with respect to the preceding admissions cycle--
``(A) the established minimum candidate composite
score and college entrance examination rank (CEER)
score used in such cycle; and
``(B) the total number of waivers of such minimum
candidate composite score or CEER score, including the
candidate composite score and CEER score of each
midshipman to whom a waiver relates, a brief
explanation of the reasons for such waiver, and the
category of appointment under which each such
midshipman was appointed (and if congressional, the
type of slate that nominated the waived appointee); and
``(2) for each midshipman who, during the four-year period
preceding the date of the report, received a waiver for the
established minimum candidate composite score or CEER score,
the status of each such midshipman, including whether the
midshipman is still at the Academy, the circumstances of such
midshipman's departure (if applicable), the cumulative academic
GPA, cumulative military GPA, any major conduct or honor
violations, any remedial measures undertaken, and any other
noteworthy information concerning such midshipman.
``(l) The race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion
of an applicant may not be considered in a determination whether to
admit such applicant to the Academy.''.
(2) Additional appointees.--Section 8456 of title 10,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by inserting ``,
additional appointments'' after ``Midshipmen''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking
``who competed for nomination'' and inserting
``who were eligible and competed unsuccessfully
for nomination under any other provision of
law'';
(ii) in the second sentence--
(I) by striking ``(8)'' and
inserting ``(10)''; and
(II) by striking ``who competed for
appointment'' and inserting ``who were
eligible and competed unsuccessfully
for nomination''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``All provisions relating to candidate
composite score in section 8454 of this title
shall apply to calculation and use of candidate
composite score as that term is used in this
section.
``(d) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the
Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that
includes, with respect to the preceding admissions cycle--
``(1) the candidate composite scores and college entrance
examination rank (CEER) scores of the ten candidates appointed
under this section and under section 8454(e) of this title who
had the lowest candidate composite scores;
``(2) the total number of qualified and nominated (by any
source), but not selected, candidates; and
``(3) the candidate composite scores and CEER scores of the
ten qualified and nominated candidates having the highest
candidate composite scores and who were not selected for
appointment.''.
(c) United States Air Force Academy.--
(1) Appointments.--Section 9442 of title 10, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``subsection (j)'' and
inserting ``subsection (k)'';
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ``as
established by competitive examination'' and
inserting ``as determined by candidate
composite score rank''; and
(iii) in the matter following paragraph
(10)--
(I) in the second sentence--
(aa) by inserting ``(in
which event selection shall be
in order of merit as determined
by candidate composite score
rank)'' after ``may be
submitted without ranking'';
and
(bb) by striking ``9
ranked'' and inserting ``14
ranked'';
(II) by inserting after the second
sentence the following: ``If alternates
are submitted unranked, any selection
from among such unranked alternates
shall be in order of merit as
determined by candidate composite score
rank.''; and
(III) by striking ``shall be
considered qualified alternates for the
purpose of selection under other
provisions of this chapter'' and
inserting ``shall be eligible and
considered for selection under other
provisions of this chapter, including
as qualified alternates and additional
appointees'';
(B) by redesignating subsections (b) through (j) as
subsections (c) through (k), respectively;
(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following
new subsection:
``(b) There shall be appointed each year at the Academy 300
qualified alternates selected in order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank by the Secretary of the Air Force from
qualified candidates nominated pursuant to paragraphs (3) through (10)
of subsection (a) and all other qualified, non-selected candidates
holding nominations from any other source pursuant to this chapter.'';
(D) in subsection (c), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``one
hundred selected by the President'' and
inserting ``up to one hundred qualified
candidates selected by the President in order
of merit as determined by candidate composite
score rank'';
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking ``85'' and
inserting ``up to 85 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end;
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking ``85'' and
inserting ``up to 85 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end;
(iv) in paragraph (4)--
(I) by striking ``20'' and
inserting ``up to 20 qualified
candidates''; and
(II) by inserting ``, selected in
order of merit as determined by
candidate composite score rank'' before
the period at the end; and
(v) by striking paragraph (5);
(E) in subsection (f), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B), by striking ``subsection (b)'' and
inserting ``subsection (c)'';
(F) in subsection (h), as so redesignated--
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking
``subsection (b)'' each place it appears and
inserting ``subsection (c)'';
(ii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking ``subsection
(b)(5)'' and insert ``subsection (b)'';
(II) in subparagraphs (A) through
(C), by striking ``subsection (b)''
each place it appears and inserting
``subsection (c)''; and
(iii) in paragraph (4), by striking
``subsection (e)'' and inserting ``subsection
(f)''; and
(G) by adding at the end the following new
subsections:
``(l) Qualifications of candidates for admission shall be
determined by use of, among other metrics, a candidate composite score
uniformly calculated for each applicant. The academic component of such
composite score shall be weighted at not less than 60 percent of the
overall composite score and shall include the candidate's standardized
test scores, which shall be weighted at not less than 45 percent of the
overall composite score. The total of all subjective components, if
any, of the composite score shall be weighted at not more than 10
percent of the overall composite score. Any subjectively based
adjustment of the candidate composite score shall be limited to not
more than 10 percent of the score before such adjustment. Candidates'
composite scores, only, shall be used to determine order of merit.
``(m) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the
Air Force shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and the House of Representatives a report, including--
``(1) with respect to the preceding admissions cycle--
``(A) the established minimum candidate composite
score and college entrance examination rank (CEER)
score used in such cycle; and
``(B) the total number of waivers of such minimum
candidate composite score or CEER score, including the
candidate composite score and CEER score of each cadet
to whom a waiver relates, a brief explanation of the
reasons for such waiver, and the category of
appointment under which each such cadet was appointed
(and if congressional, the type of slate that nominated
the waived appointee); and
``(2) for each cadet who, during the four-year period
preceding the date of the report, received a waiver for the
established minimum candidate composite score or CEER score,
the status of each such cadet, including whether the cadet is
still at the Academy, the circumstances of such cadet's
departure (if applicable), the cumulative academic GPA,
cumulative military GPA, any major conduct or honor violations,
any remedial measures undertaken, and any other noteworthy
information concerning such cadet.
``(n) The race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion
of an applicant may not be considered in a determination whether to
admit such applicant to the Academy.''.
(2) Additional appointees.--Section 9443 of title 10,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking
``appointment'' and inserting ``additional
appointments'';
(B) in the first sentence--
(i) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``If it is
determined''; and
(ii) by striking ``who competed for
nomination'' and inserting ``who were eligible
and competed unsuccessfully for nomination
under any other provision of law'';
(C) in the second sentence--
(i) by striking ``(8)'' and inserting
``(10)''; and
(ii) by striking ``holding competitive
nominations'' and inserting ``who were eligible
and competed unsuccessfully for nomination'';
and
(D) by adding at the end the following: ``All
provisions relating to candidate composite score in
section 9442 of this title shall apply to calculation
and use of candidate composite score as that term is
used in this section.
``(b) Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary of the
Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report
that includes, with respect to the preceding admissions cycle--
``(1) the candidate composite scores and college entrance
examination rank (CEER) scores of the ten candidates appointed
under this section and under section 9442(e) of this title who
had the lowest candidate composite scores;
``(2) the total number of qualified and nominated (by any
source), but not selected, candidates; and
``(3) the candidate composite scores and CEER scores of the
ten qualified and nominated candidates having the highest
candidate composite scores and who were not selected for
appointment.''.
<all>