VA Accountability First Act of 2017
USA115th CongressHR-1259| House
| Updated: 3/21/2017
David P. Roe
Republican Representative
Tennessee
Cosponsors (26)
Robert Pittenger (Republican)Clay Higgins (Republican)Tom Cole (Republican)Gregg Harper (Republican)Jim Banks (Republican)Warren Davidson (Republican)Neal P. Dunn (Republican)Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican)Jackie Walorski (Republican)Edward R. Royce (Republican)Pete Sessions (Republican)Bruce Poliquin (Republican)Sam Johnson (Republican)Todd Rokita (Republican)James B. Renacci (Republican)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Ron DeSantis (Republican)Jodey C. Arrington (Republican)Kyrsten Sinema (Independent)Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican)Mike Bost (Republican)Bradley Byrne (Republican)Scott R. Tipton (Republican)Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican)Mike Coffman (Republican)Jack Bergman (Republican)
Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee
- Introduced
- In Committee
- On Floor
- Passed Chamber
- Enacted
VA Accountability First Act of 2017 (Sec. 3) This bill revises the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove, demote by a reduction in grade and pay, or suspend a VA employee, including a member in a senior executive position, for reasons of performance or misconduct. A demoted individual shall not be placed on administrative leave during the appeals period and may receive pay only if he or she reports for duty or is approved to use certain accrued unused leave. An expedited appeals process is established for such VA decisions, including the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board. The VA may not remove, demote, or suspend an employee: (1) without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice, and (2) until a final decision in the case of a whistle-blower complaint. Whistle-blower protections are revised, including to prohibit the VA from taking any such action against a person who has a pending whistle-blower complaint. (Sec. 4) The VA shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance while employed in such position. The VA may: (1) reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken; and (2) recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee under specified circumstances. (Sec. 8) The VA may directly appoint qualifying individuals to the positions of Medical Center Director and Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network. (Sec. 9) The bill revises time periods for adverse action reviews with respect to physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, and expanded-function dental auxiliaries. (Sec. 10) The VA shall report to Congress annually on performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees. (Sec. 11) The VA shall: (1) ensure that supervisors are evaluated on actions taken to improve employee performance, and (2) provide supervisors with training on whistle-blower protections.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 16.
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-34, Part I.
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 198. (consideration: CR H2114-2135)
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 198 and Rule XVIII.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Harold Rogers to act as Chairman of the Committee.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1259.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Roe (TN) Part A amendment No. 1.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Walz Part A amendment No. 2.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Walz Part A amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Walz demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster(NH) Part A amendment No. 4.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Taylor Part A amendment No. 6.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tenney Part A amendment No. 7.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster(NH) Part A amendment No. 8.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano Part A amendment No. 9.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano Part A amendment No. 9, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1259.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2122-2125)
Mr. Kihuen moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR H2133)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add language to the bill further defining protections to whistleblowers who file complaints.
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 - 229 (Roll no. 167).
View VoteOn passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 - 178 (Roll no. 168).
View VoteMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Armed Forces and National Security
Administrative remediesCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployee performanceEmployment discrimination and employee rightsFederal officialsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHealth facilities and institutionsHealth personnelOffice of Personnel Management (OPM)Transportation costsVeterans' medical care
VA Accountability First Act of 2017
USA115th CongressHR-1259| House
| Updated: 3/21/2017
VA Accountability First Act of 2017 (Sec. 3) This bill revises the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove, demote by a reduction in grade and pay, or suspend a VA employee, including a member in a senior executive position, for reasons of performance or misconduct. A demoted individual shall not be placed on administrative leave during the appeals period and may receive pay only if he or she reports for duty or is approved to use certain accrued unused leave. An expedited appeals process is established for such VA decisions, including the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board. The VA may not remove, demote, or suspend an employee: (1) without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice, and (2) until a final decision in the case of a whistle-blower complaint. Whistle-blower protections are revised, including to prohibit the VA from taking any such action against a person who has a pending whistle-blower complaint. (Sec. 4) The VA shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance while employed in such position. The VA may: (1) reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken; and (2) recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee under specified circumstances. (Sec. 8) The VA may directly appoint qualifying individuals to the positions of Medical Center Director and Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network. (Sec. 9) The bill revises time periods for adverse action reviews with respect to physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, and expanded-function dental auxiliaries. (Sec. 10) The VA shall report to Congress annually on performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees. (Sec. 11) The VA shall: (1) ensure that supervisors are evaluated on actions taken to improve employee performance, and (2) provide supervisors with training on whistle-blower protections.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 16.
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-34, Part I.
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 198. (consideration: CR H2114-2135)
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 198 and Rule XVIII.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Harold Rogers to act as Chairman of the Committee.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1259.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Roe (TN) Part A amendment No. 1.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Walz Part A amendment No. 2.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Walz Part A amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Walz demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster(NH) Part A amendment No. 4.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Taylor Part A amendment No. 6.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tenney Part A amendment No. 7.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster(NH) Part A amendment No. 8.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano Part A amendment No. 9.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano Part A amendment No. 9, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1259.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2122-2125)
Mr. Kihuen moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR H2133)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add language to the bill further defining protections to whistleblowers who file complaints.
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 - 229 (Roll no. 167).
View VoteOn passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 - 178 (Roll no. 168).
View VoteMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
David P. Roe
Republican Representative
Tennessee
Cosponsors (26)
Robert Pittenger (Republican)Clay Higgins (Republican)Tom Cole (Republican)Gregg Harper (Republican)Jim Banks (Republican)Warren Davidson (Republican)Neal P. Dunn (Republican)Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican)Jackie Walorski (Republican)Edward R. Royce (Republican)Pete Sessions (Republican)Bruce Poliquin (Republican)Sam Johnson (Republican)Todd Rokita (Republican)James B. Renacci (Republican)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Ron DeSantis (Republican)Jodey C. Arrington (Republican)Kyrsten Sinema (Independent)Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican)Mike Bost (Republican)Bradley Byrne (Republican)Scott R. Tipton (Republican)Jenniffer González-Colón (Republican)Mike Coffman (Republican)Jack Bergman (Republican)
Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Armed Forces and National Security
Related Bills
- S 115-493: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct, and for other purposes.
- S 115-2807: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report regarding performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- HRES 115-198: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1259) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1367) to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1181) to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes.
- HR 115-1690: Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act
- Introduced
- In Committee
- On Floor
- Passed Chamber
- Enacted
Administrative remediesCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployee performanceEmployment discrimination and employee rightsFederal officialsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHealth facilities and institutionsHealth personnelOffice of Personnel Management (OPM)Transportation costsVeterans' medical care