EQUITY Act

HR 1543, the EQUITY Act, prohibits discrimination in the U.S. military based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It requires that military service, advancement, and evaluations be based solely on individual merit, fitness, capability, and performance. The bill amends Title 10 to add Section 975, explicitly banning discrimination and ensuring eligibility considers only job-related standards and military occupational specialty requirements. This directly affects all active-duty service members and military personnel by codifying merit-based standards and reversing policies like the 2025 executive order restricting transgender service.