Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025
2/12/2025, 3:23 AMSummary of Bill HR 472
Bill 119 hr 472, also known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel Accountability Act, aims to make changes to the procedures for taking personnel actions against employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill seeks to streamline the process for holding VA employees accountable for misconduct or poor performance.One key provision of the bill is the establishment of a new system for handling personnel actions, including suspensions, demotions, and removals, for VA employees. This system would provide for expedited procedures to ensure that employees who engage in misconduct or fail to perform their duties adequately can be held accountable in a timely manner.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect whistleblowers within the VA who report wrongdoing or misconduct. It prohibits retaliation against employees who report violations of law, rule, or regulation within the department. Overall, the Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel Accountability Act aims to improve accountability within the VA and ensure that employees who do not meet the standards of conduct or performance are held accountable for their actions.
Congressional Summary of HR 472
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).
