H.R. 9103

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9103 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9103

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 2, 2026

Mr. Norman (for himself and Mr. Steube) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

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.

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 ``Merit Restoration Act''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITIONS ON PROHIBITED DIVERSITY, EQUITY, OR INCLUSION 
PRACTICES BY FEDERAL RESEARCH AGENCIES AND RECIPIENTS IN 
FEDERAL RESEARCH GRANTS.

(a) Prohibitions.--
(1) Federal research agencies.--A Federal research agency 
may not use any prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion 
practice in awarding, evaluating, or continuing a Federal 
research grant.
(2) Recipients.--A recipient of a Federal research grant 
may not use any prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion 
practice in carrying out the Federal research grant.
(b) Enforcement.--If a recipient of a Federal research grant 
engages in a prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice in a 
manner alleged to be in violation of the prohibition described in 
subsection (a)(2) with respect to such Federal research grant, the 
Federal research agency that awarded the Federal research grant--
(1) shall freeze the receipt of Federal funds with respect 
to the Federal research grant; and
(2) if the Federal research agency determines that the 
recipient committed such a violation, shall require the 
recipient to repay any Federal funds used pursuant to the 
violation with respect to the Federal research grant.
(c) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an 
agreement for a Federal research grant entered into on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Federal research agency.--The term ``Federal research 
agency'' means any Executive agency (as defined in section 105 
of title 5, United States Code) that awards, administers, 
conducts, or supports scientific, medical, technological, 
engineering, or other research activities through Federal 
funds, Federal research grants, contracts, cooperative 
agreements, or direct operations.
(2) Federal research grant.--The term ``Federal research 
grant''--
(A) means a grant awarded by a Federal research 
agency to support a systematic study directed toward 
fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the 
subject studied;
(B) includes--
(i) an activity involving the training of 
an individual in a research technique, if such 
activity--
(I) uses the same facilities as 
other research and development 
activities; and
(II) is not included in the 
instruction function; and
(ii) a subgrant awarded by an entity that 
is not part of the Federal Government to carry 
out a grant program; and
(C) does not include--
(i) direct cash assistance provided by the 
Federal Government to an individual;
(ii) a subsidy;
(iii) a loan;
(iv) a loan guarantee; or
(v) insurance.
(3) Prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice.--
The term ``prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion 
practice'' means--
(A) discriminating for or against any person on the 
basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological 
sex, or national origin;
(B) requiring as a condition of employment, as a 
condition for promotion or advancement, or as a 
condition for speaking, making a presentation, or 
submitting written materials that an employee undergo 
training, education, coursework, or other pedagogy that 
asserts that a particular race, color, ethnicity, 
religion, biological sex, or national origin is 
inherently or systemically superior or inferior, 
oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged; 
or
(C) requiring as a condition of employment, as a 
condition for promotion or advancement, or as a 
condition for speaking, making a presentation, or 
submitting written materials the signing of or assent 
to a statement, code of conduct, work program, plan, or 
other similar device that requires assent by an 
employee that a particular race, color, ethnicity, 
religion, biological sex, or national origin is 
inherently or systemically superior or inferior, 
oppressive or oppressed, or privileged or unprivileged.
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