Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025
3/12/2025, 11:03 AMSummary of Bill S 124
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.
Congressional Summary of S 124
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).
