A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Minimum Experience Requirements for Intelligence Transition Act of 2026 or the MERIT Act of 2026. It was introduced in the Senate on July 16, 2026. The legislation focuses on the person serving as the Director of National Intelligence. It makes sure that anyone serving in this role in an acting capacity must have the required qualifications. Specifically, they must possess extensive national security expertise. This requirement is applied by amending Section 102(a) of the National Security Act of 1947.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Enhances accountability and standards for temporary high-ranking national security officials.
- Scored +2
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
Ensures qualified leadership with national security expertise for acting Directors of National Intelligence, which indirectly supports overall defense capabilities.
- Scored +1
Does this give the federal government more power?
Imposes a specific federal statutory qualification requirement on acting intelligence leadership positions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Ensures Qualified Leadership: Section 2 of the bill amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require that any individual serving as the Director of National Intelligence in an acting capacity, or performing the duties of that position, must have extensive national security expertise. This is a positive outcome because it guarantees that whoever is temporarily running our nation's intelligence community actually has the right background to keep people safe.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Enhances accountability and standards for temporary high-ranking national security officials. Does this give the federal government more power? — Imposes a specific federal statutory qualification requirement on acting intelligence leadership positions.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Ensures qualified leadership with national security expertise for acting Directors of National Intelligence, which indirectly supports overall defense capabilities.
- 7/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
- Introduced in Senate