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Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-472| House 
| Updated: 12/19/2025
Mike Bost

Mike Bost

Republican Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (30)
Sheri Biggs (Republican)Diana Harshbarger (Republican)Paul A. Gosar (Republican)Trent Kelly (Republican)Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Republican)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Keith Self (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican)David Rouzer (Republican)Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican)Dan Newhouse (Republican)Morgan Luttrell (Republican)Barry Loudermilk (Republican)Darrell Issa (Republican)Joe Wilson (Republican)Nancy Mace (Republican)Kat Cammack (Republican)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Daniel Webster (Republican)Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican)Abraham J. Hamadeh (Republican)Russell Fry (Republican)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)Jay Obernolte (Republican)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Tom Barrett (Republican)Ben Cline (Republican)Jack Bergman (Republican)Jennifer A. Kiggans (Republican)

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025" aims to enhance accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by significantly modifying personnel action procedures for its employees. This legislation introduces new, expedited disciplinary processes for supervisors and management officials, while also amending existing procedures for senior executives and other VA employees. A key provision establishes a new section, 712, in Title 38, United States Code, specifically for supervisors and management officials. Under this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may remove, demote, or suspend a covered individual based on substantial evidence of performance or misconduct. The bill outlines specific factors for initial decision-making, such as the nature and seriousness of the offense and the employee's job level, and mandates that the Secretary review and uphold decisions supported by substantial evidence. Crucially, the bill eliminates the requirement for a performance improvement plan (PIP) before taking disciplinary action and states that procedures under Chapter 43 of Title 5 will not apply. It also imposes strict timelines, requiring the aggregate period for notice, response, and final decision not to exceed 15 business days, with the grievance process taking fewer than 21 days. While employees retain rights to advance notice, evidence, and representation, actions are explicitly made non-appealable to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Furthermore, the bill limits judicial review, stipulating that courts may not review or mitigate the penalty imposed, except for constitutional issues. Similar modifications are made to existing disciplinary procedures for senior executives (Section 713) and other VA employees (Section 714), requiring substantial evidence for actions and restricting external review of penalties. The legislation also clarifies that its procedures supersede inconsistent collective bargaining agreements and includes protections for whistleblowers, requiring Special Counsel approval or a final decision on disclosures before disciplinary action.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4278
Restore VA Accountability Act of 2023
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 16, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-124
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Dec 19, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4278
    Restore VA Accountability Act of 2023


  • January 16, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 16, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-124
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • December 19, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 119-124: Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025
Congressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployee performanceEmployment discrimination and employee rightsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsJudicial review and appealsVeterans' medical care

Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-472| House 
| Updated: 12/19/2025
The "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025" aims to enhance accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by significantly modifying personnel action procedures for its employees. This legislation introduces new, expedited disciplinary processes for supervisors and management officials, while also amending existing procedures for senior executives and other VA employees. A key provision establishes a new section, 712, in Title 38, United States Code, specifically for supervisors and management officials. Under this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may remove, demote, or suspend a covered individual based on substantial evidence of performance or misconduct. The bill outlines specific factors for initial decision-making, such as the nature and seriousness of the offense and the employee's job level, and mandates that the Secretary review and uphold decisions supported by substantial evidence. Crucially, the bill eliminates the requirement for a performance improvement plan (PIP) before taking disciplinary action and states that procedures under Chapter 43 of Title 5 will not apply. It also imposes strict timelines, requiring the aggregate period for notice, response, and final decision not to exceed 15 business days, with the grievance process taking fewer than 21 days. While employees retain rights to advance notice, evidence, and representation, actions are explicitly made non-appealable to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Furthermore, the bill limits judicial review, stipulating that courts may not review or mitigate the penalty imposed, except for constitutional issues. Similar modifications are made to existing disciplinary procedures for senior executives (Section 713) and other VA employees (Section 714), requiring substantial evidence for actions and restricting external review of penalties. The legislation also clarifies that its procedures supersede inconsistent collective bargaining agreements and includes protections for whistleblowers, requiring Special Counsel approval or a final decision on disclosures before disciplinary action.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4278
Restore VA Accountability Act of 2023
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 16, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-124
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Dec 19, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4278
    Restore VA Accountability Act of 2023


  • January 16, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 16, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-124
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • December 19, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Mike Bost

Mike Bost

Republican Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (30)
Sheri Biggs (Republican)Diana Harshbarger (Republican)Paul A. Gosar (Republican)Trent Kelly (Republican)Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Republican)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Keith Self (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican)David Rouzer (Republican)Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican)Dan Newhouse (Republican)Morgan Luttrell (Republican)Barry Loudermilk (Republican)Darrell Issa (Republican)Joe Wilson (Republican)Nancy Mace (Republican)Kat Cammack (Republican)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Daniel Webster (Republican)Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican)Abraham J. Hamadeh (Republican)Russell Fry (Republican)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)Jay Obernolte (Republican)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Tom Barrett (Republican)Ben Cline (Republican)Jack Bergman (Republican)Jennifer A. Kiggans (Republican)

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 119-124: Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployee performanceEmployment discrimination and employee rightsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsJudicial review and appealsVeterans' medical care