Restoring Merit in the Military Service Academies Act

HR 5046, the "Restoring Merit in the Military Service Academies Act," changes admissions processes at the U.S. Military, Naval, and Air Force Academies to prioritize a standardized composite score system. The bill requires that admissions decisions be based solely on a candidate composite score that must weigh academic performance at least 60% (with standardized test scores making up at least 45% of that), while limiting subjective factors to no more than 10% of the score. It prohibits considering race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in admissions decisions. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress detailing admission scores, minimum requirements, waivers, and the status of students who received score waivers. This legislation directly affects all applicants to the military service academies and the admissions processes used by the Department of Defense to select cadets and midshipmen.