A bill to ensure that any individual serving as Director of National Intelligence in an acting capacity possesses the qualifications required of the Director of National Intelligence to have extensive national security expertise, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · July 16, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
The MERIT Act of 2025 modifies federal law to require that anyone serving as Director of National Intelligence in an acting capacity must meet the same qualifications and possess the same extensive national security expertise as someone confirmed to the permanent position. Currently, acting officials filling this role are not subject to the same experience requirements, which the bill addresses by amending the National Security Act of 1947. The legislation affects the intelligence community and the executive branch's ability to fill this critical national security position during transitions or vacancies. The bill does not specify new funding or implementation timelines, but rather establishes a legal requirement that applies whenever someone temporarily performs the Director of National Intelligence duties.
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