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Improving VA Accountability To Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-2704| House 
| Updated: 5/19/2021
Chris Pappas

Chris Pappas

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (3)
Ashley Hinson (Republican)Van Taylor (Republican)Ann M. Kuster (Democratic)

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Improving VA Accountability To Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement various policies and procedures related to sexual harassment, other harassment, and employment discrimination. The bill requires the VA to ensure that the official who serves as the VA's Equal Employment Opportunity Director reports directly to the Deputy Secretary and does not also serve in a position that has responsibility over personnel functions or functions that conflict with the equal employment functions, each Equal Employment Opportunity program manager at the facility level reports to the head of the Office of Resolution Management (ORM) with respect to equal employment functions, and the employment discrimination complaint resolution system requires any VA manager who receives a harassment or employment discrimination complaint to report such complaint to the ORM immediately (or within two business days of receiving the complaint if immediate reporting is impracticable). The VA must provide employees with mandatory annual training on identifying and addressing sexual harassment, other harassment, and employment discrimination, including with respect to processes under the VA's Harassment Prevention Program. The VA must regularly review the policies relating to sexual harassment, other harassment, and employment discrimination to ensure its policies are complete and in accordance with the policies established by the ORM. Additionally, the VA must issue a final directive and handbook for its Harassment Prevention Program.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

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Timeline
Apr 20, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-1243
Introduced in Senate
Apr 20, 2021
Introduced in House
Apr 20, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 28, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
May 4, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 4, 2021
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
May 4, 2021
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 6.
May 17, 2021
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 21.
May 17, 2021
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-36.
May 17, 2021
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 17, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2360-2362; text: CR H2360-2361)
May 17, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2704.
May 17, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. (text: CR H2360-2361)
May 19, 2021
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 403, proceedings on H.R. 2704 are considered vacated.
May 19, 2021
Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008.(consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2517)
May 19, 2021
Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008. (consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2517)
May 19, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  • April 20, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-1243
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 20, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • April 20, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 28, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.


  • May 4, 2021
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • May 4, 2021
    Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.


  • May 4, 2021
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 6.


  • May 17, 2021
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 21.


  • May 17, 2021
    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-36.


  • May 17, 2021
    Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • May 17, 2021
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2360-2362; text: CR H2360-2361)


  • May 17, 2021
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2704.


  • May 17, 2021
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. (text: CR H2360-2361)


  • May 19, 2021
    Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 403, proceedings on H.R. 2704 are considered vacated.


  • May 19, 2021
    Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008.(consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2517)


  • May 19, 2021
    Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008. (consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2517)


  • May 19, 2021
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 117-1243: Improving VA Accountability To Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021
  • HRES 117-403: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1629) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to limitations on exclusive approval or licensure of orphan drugs, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 275) condemning the horrific shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 16, 2021, and reaffirming the House of Representative's commitment to combating hate, bigotry, and violence against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community; and for other purposes.
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationAssault and harassment offensesCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSex offenses

Improving VA Accountability To Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-2704| House 
| Updated: 5/19/2021
Improving VA Accountability To Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement various policies and procedures related to sexual harassment, other harassment, and employment discrimination. The bill requires the VA to ensure that the official who serves as the VA's Equal Employment Opportunity Director reports directly to the Deputy Secretary and does not also serve in a position that has responsibility over personnel functions or functions that conflict with the equal employment functions, each Equal Employment Opportunity program manager at the facility level reports to the head of the Office of Resolution Management (ORM) with respect to equal employment functions, and the employment discrimination complaint resolution system requires any VA manager who receives a harassment or employment discrimination complaint to report such complaint to the ORM immediately (or within two business days of receiving the complaint if immediate reporting is impracticable). The VA must provide employees with mandatory annual training on identifying and addressing sexual harassment, other harassment, and employment discrimination, including with respect to processes under the VA's Harassment Prevention Program. The VA must regularly review the policies relating to sexual harassment, other harassment, and employment discrimination to ensure its policies are complete and in accordance with the policies established by the ORM. Additionally, the VA must issue a final directive and handbook for its Harassment Prevention Program.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 20, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-1243
Introduced in Senate
Apr 20, 2021
Introduced in House
Apr 20, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 28, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
May 4, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 4, 2021
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
May 4, 2021
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 6.
May 17, 2021
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 21.
May 17, 2021
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-36.
May 17, 2021
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 17, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2360-2362; text: CR H2360-2361)
May 17, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2704.
May 17, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. (text: CR H2360-2361)
May 19, 2021
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 403, proceedings on H.R. 2704 are considered vacated.
May 19, 2021
Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008.(consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2517)
May 19, 2021
Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008. (consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2517)
May 19, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  • April 20, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-1243
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 20, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • April 20, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 28, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.


  • May 4, 2021
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • May 4, 2021
    Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.


  • May 4, 2021
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 6.


  • May 17, 2021
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 21.


  • May 17, 2021
    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-36.


  • May 17, 2021
    Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • May 17, 2021
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2360-2362; text: CR H2360-2361)


  • May 17, 2021
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2704.


  • May 17, 2021
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. (text: CR H2360-2361)


  • May 19, 2021
    Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 403, proceedings on H.R. 2704 are considered vacated.


  • May 19, 2021
    Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008.(consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2517)


  • May 19, 2021
    Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 403, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 144, as amended; H.R. 204, as amended; H.R. 210, as amended; H.R. 240; H.R. 707, as amended; H.R. 711, as amended; H.R. 1157, as amended; H.R. 1447, as amended; H.R. 1510, as amended; H.R. 1711, as amended; H.R. 2027; H.R. 2167, as amended; H.R. 2441; H.R. 2494; H.R. 2533; H.R. 2655, as amended; H.R. 2695, H.R. 2704; H.R. 2788; H.R. 2878, as amended; and H.R. 3008. (consideration: CR H2482-2520; text: CR H2517)


  • May 19, 2021
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Chris Pappas

Chris Pappas

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (3)
Ashley Hinson (Republican)Van Taylor (Republican)Ann M. Kuster (Democratic)

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 117-1243: Improving VA Accountability To Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021
  • HRES 117-403: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1629) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to limitations on exclusive approval or licensure of orphan drugs, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 275) condemning the horrific shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 16, 2021, and reaffirming the House of Representative's commitment to combating hate, bigotry, and violence against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community; and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationAssault and harassment offensesCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSex offenses