Merit Restoration Act

This bill aims to prevent federal research agencies and recipients of federal research grants from engaging in specific diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) practices . It explicitly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin in the awarding, evaluation, or execution of grants. Furthermore, it bans requiring employees to undergo training or assent to statements that assert the inherent superiority, inferiority, oppressiveness, or privilege of any group based on these characteristics as a condition of employment or advancement. For grant recipients found in violation of these prohibitions, federal research agencies are mandated to freeze federal funds related to the grant. If a violation is confirmed, the agency must then require the recipient to repay any federal funds used in connection with the prohibited practice. These new rules will apply to all federal research grant agreements entered into on or after the bill's enactment date, ensuring that merit-based principles are upheld in federally funded research.