The "Putting Veterans First Act of 2025" seeks to safeguard veterans, military families, and federal civil servants, particularly those employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It aims to reverse certain employment actions and policy changes implemented since January 20, 2025, and establish new protections for employees and VA operations. The bill defines key terms such as "veteran," "military spouse," "caregiver," and "survivor" to ensure broad coverage for the military community. Title I focuses on "Putting Veteran and Military Families First" by nullifying removals, demotions, or suspensions of military community members from federal service between January 20, 2025, and the bill's enactment, providing back pay and benefit restoration. It also establishes ongoing protections against such adverse actions, requiring specific conditions for group actions, performance-based decisions, and high vacancy rates. Agencies would also be mandated to report detailed employment data for these groups, and the Comptroller General would conduct a comprehensive review of their federal employment. Title II specifically addresses Department of Veterans Affairs employees, imposing significant limitations on administrative actions. It restricts hiring freezes , requiring a determination of no increased costs and a report to Congress. The bill prohibits the closing or realignment of VA offices or programs without specific legal authorization and a one-year advance notice to Congress, while also requiring efforts to find new employment for displaced staff. Furthermore, it limits changes to VA telework and remote work policies, mandating extensive notice to Congress, labor organizations, and affected employees. This title also prevents the rescission or alteration of final VA job offers unless directly related to the applicant's actions, with appeal rights to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Before any reduction in force , the VA must provide 180-day advance notice and a detailed justification to Congress, labor organizations, and affected employees, including analysis of impacts on veteran care and costs. The bill enhances VA personnel reporting requirements, demanding quarterly updates on vacancies, recruitment stages, and an annual report on staffing capacity. Crucially, the bill prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from simultaneously serving as the head of any other federal agency, with non-compliance resulting in removal from office. It also strengthens the independence of the Office of Special Counsel and the Office of Government Ethics by restricting their leaders from holding other federal positions. The legislation mandates a report on the effects of removing essential VA programs and services since January 20, 2025, and declares null and void any VA employee removals, research project cancellations, or a specific flag directive from that period, ensuring restoration of affected services and personnel. Title III introduces broader protections for all civil servants, requiring the President to fill MSPB vacancies within 30 days and extending MSPB appeal rights to probationary employees . It allows employees to retract deferred resignation offers without penalty and limits the shifting of positions from competitive to excepted service categories, requiring employee consent or a two-year notice period. These provisions aim to enhance job security and due process for federal workers. Regarding mental health, Title IV requires agencies to reimburse mental health services for certain military community members affected by adverse employment actions for 90 days. It also mandates the deployment of mobile Vet Centers to agencies that undertake large-scale adverse actions against military community members and prohibits reductions in mental health-related funding or staff until February 1, 2030. Title V directs the President, OPM, and DOL to provide employment assistance and expand opportunities for military community members impacted by employment changes, including through private sector partnerships. Title VI, concerning the "Department of Government Efficiency," imposes strict limitations on access to VA information, systems, and data, allowing access only to authorized VA personnel or contractors with specific security clearances and ethics agreements. It explicitly states that certain Executive Orders related to government efficiency shall not apply to the VA. The bill mandates a report on VA compliance with these data access limitations and an Inspector General review of any unauthorized access instances. Title VII addresses the VA's financial needs, defining "mass contract cancellation" and requiring the reinstatement of contracts cancelled in mass since January 20, 2025. It pauses ongoing mass cancellations and prohibits future ones without a detailed report to Congress certifying no negative impact on veteran services, safety, or critical functions. The bill also requires quarterly reports on costs associated with "Department of Government Efficiency" policy changes and mandates 60-day advance notice to Congress for changes to the VA charge card program. Finally, Title VIII enhances reporting requirements for the VA, including a weekly "Monday Morning Workload Report" for the Veterans Benefits Administration, detailing claims and appeals data. It improves the periodic publication of metrics related to appeals processing and mandates weekly publication of community care wait times on VA medical center websites. The bill also sets specific deadlines for the VA Secretary to respond to inquiries from congressional Veterans' Affairs committees, ensuring greater accountability and transparency.