A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for disciplinary procedures for supervisors and managers at the Department of Veterans Affairs and to modify the procedures of personnel actions against employees of the Department, and for other purposes.

1/29/2025, 11:56 AM

Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 or the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025

This bill modifies personnel action procedures regarding certain employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

The bill authorizes the VA to remove from civil service, demote, or suspend VA employees that are supervisors or managers if the VA determines by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of such individual warrants such action. This authority does not apply to certain appointees or individuals in their probationary or trial period.

Supervisors or managers who are subject to a removal, demotion, or suspension under this bill are entitled to (1) advance notice of the action and supporting evidence, (2) representation by an attorney or representative, and (3) grieve the action in accordance with an internal grievance process.

The bill also provides protections from removal, demotion, or suspension for supervisor or managers who are whistleblowers or are seeking corrective action for an alleged prohibited personnel practice such as discrimination.

The bill also modifies the procedures to remove, demote, or suspend VA employees or senior executives based on performance or misconduct, specifically by requiring the VA to determine by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of the individual warrants such removal, demotion, or suspension. Such procedures must apply retroactively, beginning on the date of enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (June 23, 2017).

Bill 119 s 124, also known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, aims to make changes to the disciplinary procedures for supervisors and managers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill also seeks to modify the procedures for personnel actions against employees of the VA.

The main goal of the bill is to hold supervisors and managers at the VA accountable for their actions and to ensure that employees are protected from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing. The bill includes provisions for more streamlined and efficient disciplinary procedures, as well as increased protections for whistleblowers.

Overall, Bill 119 s 124 is focused on improving accountability and transparency within the VA, in order to better serve our nation's veterans.
Congress
119

Number
S - 124

Introduced on
2025-01-16

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 or the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025

This bill modifies personnel action procedures regarding certain employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

The bill authorizes the VA to remove from civil service, demote, or suspend VA employees that are supervisors or managers if the VA determines by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of such individual warrants such action. This authority does not apply to certain appointees or individuals in their probationary or trial period.

Supervisors or managers who are subject to a removal, demotion, or suspension under this bill are entitled to (1) advance notice of the action and supporting evidence, (2) representation by an attorney or representative, and (3) grieve the action in accordance with an internal grievance process.

The bill also provides protections from removal, demotion, or suspension for supervisor or managers who are whistleblowers or are seeking corrective action for an alleged prohibited personnel practice such as discrimination.

The bill also modifies the procedures to remove, demote, or suspend VA employees or senior executives based on performance or misconduct, specifically by requiring the VA to determine by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of the individual warrants such removal, demotion, or suspension. Such procedures must apply retroactively, beginning on the date of enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (June 23, 2017).

Bill 119 s 124, also known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, aims to make changes to the disciplinary procedures for supervisors and managers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill also seeks to modify the procedures for personnel actions against employees of the VA.

The main goal of the bill is to hold supervisors and managers at the VA accountable for their actions and to ensure that employees are protected from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing. The bill includes provisions for more streamlined and efficient disciplinary procedures, as well as increased protections for whistleblowers.

Overall, Bill 119 s 124 is focused on improving accountability and transparency within the VA, in order to better serve our nation's veterans.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for disciplinary procedures for supervisors and managers at the Department of Veterans Affairs and to modify the procedures of personnel actions against employees of the Department, and for other purposes.

Comments

APPROVED
Kyren Garner
@rue_cragganmore_nigella40172
This bill is so unfair to us veterans. It's gonna make things even harder for us to get the help we need. Why do they keep making it harder for us? It's just not right.

APPROVED
Beau Fischer
@mahlab_grape_epi28657
Not sure about this bill, but it might shake things up at the VA.

Recent Activity

Latest Summary3/3/2025

Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 or the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025

This bill modifies personnel action procedures regarding certain employees and executives of the Department of Ve...


Latest Action1/16/2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.