Rep. Nancy Mace Leads Charge To Restore Merit In Military Academy Admissions

(Washington, D.C., August 27, 2025) – Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) introduced the Restoring Merit in the Military Service Academies Act to ensure appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy is based solely on ability, not identity politics, in admitting the future leaders of our Armed Forces.

This legislation requires admissions decisions by Military Service Academies be determined by a standardized candidate composite score, putting a heavy emphasis on academic performance and aptitude. It also prohibits consideration of race, sex, ethnicity, or religion.

“This bill puts standards and performance back at the heart of our military academies,” said Congresswoman Mace. “The young men and women who step up to serve our country should be judged on their ability, character, and potential, not on arbitrary factors with no impact on readiness or mission success.”

In line with President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring Merit and Lethality to America’s Armed Forces, this legislation restores fairness and accountability in academy admissions. The most qualified candidates, not political considerations, should determine who is selected to lead America’s military.

This legislation mirrors Congresswoman Mace’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment, reforming admissions to guarantee cadets and midshipmen are selected on merit and competitive excellence.

Under this legislation, academic metrics, including standardized test scores, must account for the majority of the composite score, with minimal room for subjective considerations. The legislation also requires the services to report annually to Congress on admissions standards, scores, and the use of waivers, ensuring transparency and accountability.

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