H. R. 7776—815 
(1) A description of the process used by the Under Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs for Health for documenting implantable 
medical devices issued to patients. 
(2) An evaluation of the capability of the Under Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs for Health to identify, in a timely manner, 
adverse events and safety issues relating to implantable med-
ical devices. 
(3) An evaluation of the process for, and potential barriers 
to, the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health notifying 
patients of an implantable medical device recall. 
(4) An evaluation of the accessibility of the adverse event 
reporting systems of the Veterans Health Administration for 
patients with disabilities. 
(5) Recommendations to address gaps in such adverse event 
reporting systems, to better identify adverse events and safety 
issues from implantable medical devices. 
SEC. 5113. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REPORT ON SUP-
PORTIVE SERVICES AND HOUSING INSECURITY. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with 
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary 
of Labor, shall submit to Congress a report on how often and 
what type of supportive services (including career transition and 
mental health services and services for elderly veterans) are being 
offered to and used by veterans, and any correlation between a 
lack of supportive services programs and the likelihood of veterans 
falling back into housing insecurity. The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall ensure that any medical information included in the 
report is de-identified. 
SEC. 5114. REPORT ON HANDLING OF CERTAIN RECORDS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, 
shall submit to Congress a report on the extent to which the 
procedures outlined in provision M21-1 III.ii.2.F.1 of the Adjudica-
tion Procedures Manual of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
or any successor document, are followed in assisting veterans obtain 
or reconstruct service records or medical information damaged or 
destroyed in the fire that occurred at the National Processing 
Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, in July of 1973. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include 
the following elements: 
(1) The determination of the Inspector General as to 
whether employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
receive sufficient training on the procedures specified in such 
subsection. 
(2) The determination of the Inspector General as to 
whether veterans are informed of actions necessary to adhere 
to such procedures. 
(3) The percentage of cases regarding such service records 
and medical information in which employees of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs follow such procedures. 
(4) The average duration of time to resolve an issue using 
such procedures.
H. R. 7776—816 
(5) Recommendations on how to improve the implementa-
tion of such procedures. 
Subtitle C—Other Matters 
SEC. 5121. IMPROVED APPLICATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOY-
MENT RIGHTS OF ALL MEMBERS OF UNIFORMED SERV-
ICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (5) of section 4303 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) The term ‘Federal executive agency’— 
‘‘(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), includes— 
‘‘(i) the United States Postal Service; 
‘‘(ii) the Postal Regulatory Commission; 
‘‘(iii) any nonappropriated fund instrumentality of 
the United States; 
‘‘(iv) any Executive agency (as defined in section 
105 of title 5); and 
‘‘(v) any military department (as defined in section 
102 of title 5) with respect to the civilian employees 
of that department; and 
‘‘(B) does not include— 
‘‘(i) an agency referred to in section 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii) 
of title 5; 
‘‘(ii) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration with respect to members of the commis-
sioned officer corps of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration; or 
‘‘(iii) the Public Health Service with respect to 
members of the Commissioned Corps of the Public 
Health Service serving on active duty, active duty for 
training, or inactive duty training.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Paragraph (17) of such section 
is amended by striking ‘‘commissioned corps of the Public Health 
Service’’ and inserting ‘‘Commissioned Corps of the Public Health 
Service’’. 
SEC. 5122. COMPETITIVE PAY FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 7451(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4)(A) The director of each medical center of the Department 
shall submit to the Secretary an annual locality pay survey and 
rates of basic pay for covered positions at such medical center 
to ensure that pay rates remain competitive in the local labor 
market. 
‘‘(B) Not less than once per fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate a report on rates of basic pay 
for covered positions at medical centers of the Department.’’. 
SEC. 5123. DEFINITION OF LAND USE REVENUE UNDER WEST LOS 
ANGELES LEASING ACT OF 2016. 
Section 2(d)(2) of the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016 
(Public Law 114–226) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon;
H. R. 7776—817 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph 
(C); and 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) to the extent specified in advance in an appropria-
tions Act for a fiscal year, any funds received as compensa-
tion for an easement described in subsection (e); and’’. 
SEC. 5124. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO HONORING OUR PACT ACT 
OF 2022. 
(a) PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE CONNECTION FOR CERTAIN DIS-
EASES ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE
TO BURN PITS
AND OTHER 
TOXINS.—Section 1120(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking subparagraph (G); and 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) through (K) as 
subparagraphs (G) through (J), respectively. 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF CERTAIN MEDICAL FACILITY 
ACQUISITIONS.—Section 703(c)(5)(C) of the Honoring our PACT Act 
of 2022 (Public Law 117–168; 136 Stat. 1797) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(C) by striking ‘or a major medical facility lease (as 
defined in subsection (a)(3)(B))’;’’. 
(c) USE OF COMPETITIVE PROCEDURES TO ACQUIRE SPACE FOR 
THE PURPOSE
OF PROVIDING HEALTH-CARE RESOURCES
TO VET-
ERANS.—Section 8103(h)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 2304 of title 10’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
3301 of title 41’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Honoring 
our PACT Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–168). 
SEC. 5125. IMPROVING PILOT PROGRAM ON ACCEPTANCE BY THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF DONATED 
FACILITIES AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2 of the Communities Helping Invest 
through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 
2016 (Public Law 114–294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting before the semicolon 
the following: ‘‘or for which funds are available from the 
Construction, Minor Projects, or Construction, Major Projects 
appropriations accounts’’; 
(2) in subsection (e)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the 
Secretary’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘or funds already generally avail-
able in the Construction, Minor Projects, or Construc-
tion, Major Projects appropriations accounts’’ after 
‘‘that are in addition to the funds appropriated for 
the facility’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘subparagraph 
(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘this paragraph’’; 
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subpara-
graph (F); and 
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following 
new subparagraphs:
H. R. 7776—818 
‘‘(B) UNOBLIGATED AMOUNTS.—The Secretary may pro-
vide additional funds to help an entity described in sub-
section (a)(2) finance, design, or construct a facility in 
connection with real property and improvements to be 
donated under the pilot program and proposed to be 
accepted by the Secretary under subsection (b)(1)(B) if— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary determines that doing so is in 
the best interest of the Department and consistent 
with the mission of the Department; and 
‘‘(ii) funding provided under this subparagraph— 
‘‘(I) is in addition to amounts that have been 
appropriated for the facility before the date on 
which the Secretary and the entity enter into a 
formal agreement under subsection (c) for the 
construction and donation of the real property and 
improvements; and 
‘‘(II) is derived only from amounts that— 
‘‘(aa) are unobligated balances available 
in the Construction, Minor Projects, or 
Construction, Major Projects appropriations 
accounts of the Department that— 
‘‘(AA) are not associated with a spe-
cific project; or 
‘‘(BB) are amounts that are associated 
with a specific project, but are unobligated 
because they are the result of bid savings; 
and 
‘‘(bb) were appropriated to such an account 
before the date described in subclause (I). 
‘‘(C) ESCALATION CLAUSES.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may include an 
escalation clause in a formal agreement under sub-
section (c) that authorizes an escalation of not more 
than an annual amount based on a rate established 
in the formal agreement and mutually agreed upon 
by the Secretary and an entity to account for inflation 
for an area if the Secretary determines, after consulta-
tion with the head of an appropriate Federal entity 
that is not part of the Department, that such escalation 
is necessary and in the best interest of the Department. 
‘‘(ii) USE
OF
EXISTING
AMOUNTS.—The Secretary 
may obligate funds pursuant to clause (i) in connection 
with a formal agreement under subsection (c) using 
amounts that— 
‘‘(I) are unobligated balances available in the 
Construction, Minor Projects, or Construction, 
Major Projects appropriations accounts of the 
Department that— 
‘‘(aa) are not associated with a specific 
project; or 
‘‘(bb) are amounts that are associated with 
a specific project, but are unobligated because 
they are the result of bid savings; and 
‘‘(II) were appropriated to such an account 
before the date on which the Secretary and the 
entity entered into the formal agreement.
H. R. 7776—819 
‘‘(D) AVAILABILITY.—Unobligated amounts shall be 
available pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) only to 
the extent and in such amounts as provided in advance 
in appropriations Acts subsequent to the date of the enact-
ment of this subparagraph, subject to subparagraph (E). 
‘‘(E) LIMITATION.—Unobligated amounts made avail-
able pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) may not exceed 
40 percent of the amount appropriated for the facility before 
the date on which the Secretary and the entity entered 
into a formal agreement under subsection (c).’’; and 
(3) in subsection (j)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘RULE’’ and inserting ‘‘RULES’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘Nothing in’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) ENTERING ARRANGEMENTS AND AGREEMENTS.—Nothing 
in’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) TREATMENT OF ASSISTANCE.—Nothing provided under 
this section shall be treated as Federal financial assistance 
as defined in section 200.40 of title 2, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, as in effect on February 21, 2021.’’. 
(b) AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING AGREEMENTS.—Each agreement 
entered into under section (2)(c) of such Act before the date of 
the enactment of this Act that was in effect on the date of the 
enactment of this Act may be amended to incorporate terms author-
ized by subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 2(e)(1) of such Act, 
as added by subsection (a)(2)(D) of this section. 
SEC. 5126. IMPROVEMENT OF VET CENTERS AT DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) PRODUCTIVITY EXPECTATIONS
FOR READJUSTMENT COUN-
SELORS OF VET CENTERS.— 
(1) EVALUATION OF PRODUCTIVITY EXPECTATIONS.—Not later 
than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall evaluate productivity 
expectations for readjustment counselors of Vet Centers, 
including by obtaining systematic feedback from counselors on 
such expectations, including with respect to following: 
(A) Any potential effects of productivity expectations, 
whether positive or negative, on client care and the welfare 
of readjustment counselors. 
(B) Distances readjustment counselors may travel to 
appointments, especially with respect to serving rural vet-
erans. 
(C) The possibility that some veterans may not want 
to use nor benefit from telehealth or group counseling. 
(D) Availability and access of veteran populations to 
broadband and telehealth. 
(E) Any effect of productivity expectations on readjust-
ment counselors, including with respect to recruitment, 
retention, and welfare. 
(F) Whether productivity expectations provide incen-
tives or pressure to inaccurately report client visits. 
(G) Whether directors and readjustment counselors of 
Vet Centers need additional training or guidance on how 
productivity expectations are calculated. 
(H) Such other criteria as the Secretary considers 
appropriate.
H. R. 7776—820 
(2) SYSTEMATIC FEEDBACK.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
(i) make every effort to ensure that all readjust-
ment counselors of Vet Centers are given the oppor-
tunity to fully provide feedback, positive or negative, 
including through a survey containing open- and close- 
ended questions, on all items under paragraph (1); 
(ii) in obtaining feedback under paragraph (1), 
ensure that the items under paragraph (1) are ade-
quately and completely addressed in a way that per-
mits responses to be relevant to the evaluation of 
productivity expectations; 
(iii) collect and safely store the feedback obtained 
under paragraph (1)— 
(I) in an electronic database that cannot be 
altered by any party; 
(II) in an anonymized manner, in order to 
protect the privacy of each respondent; and 
(III) in a manner that allows for evaluation 
by third parties of the feedback, such as audit 
of the feedback by the Government Accountability 
Office; and 
(iv) provide the feedback obtained under paragraph 
(1) in an anonymized manner to the working group 
established under subsection (c). 
(B) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE AUDIT.—Not 
less frequently than once each year during the five-year 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
audit the feedback obtained from readjustment counselors 
of Vet Centers under paragraph (1). 
(3) IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the completion of the evaluation required 
by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall implement any needed 
changes to the productivity expectations described in such para-
graph in order to ensure— 
(A) quality of care and access to care for veterans; 
and 
(B) the welfare of readjustment counselors. 
(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the completion of the evaluation required by para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
on— 
(A) the findings of the evaluation; and 
(B) any planned or implemented changes described 
in paragraph (3). 
(5) PLAN FOR REASSESSMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(A) PLAN.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop 
and implement a plan for— 
(i) 
reassessing 
productivity 
expectations 
for 
readjustment counselors of Vet Centers, in consultation 
with such counselors; and 
(ii) implementing any needed changes to such 
expectations, as the Secretary determines appropriate.
H. R. 7776—821 
(B) REASSESSMENTS.—Under the plan required by 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall conduct a reassess-
ment described in such paragraph not less frequently than 
once each year. 
(b) STAFFING MODEL FOR VET CENTERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall develop and implement a staffing model for Vet Centers 
that incorporates key practices in the design of such staffing 
model. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—In developing the staffing model under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) involve key stakeholders, including readjustment 
counselors, outreach specialists, and directors of Vet Cen-
ters; 
(B) incorporate key work activities and the frequency 
and time required to conduct such activities; 
(C) ensure the data used in the model is high quality 
to provide assurance that staffing estimates are reliable; 
and 
(D) incorporate— 
(i) risk factors, including case complexity; 
(ii) geography; 
(iii) availability, advisability, and willingness of 
veterans to use telehealth or group counseling; and 
(iv) such other factors as the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(3) PLAN FOR ASSESSMENTS AND UPDATES.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall develop a plan for— 
(A) assessing and updating the staffing model devel-
oped and implemented under paragraph (1) not less fre-
quently than once every four years; and 
(B) implementing any needed changes to such model, 
as the Secretary determines appropriate. 
(c) WORKING GROUP
OF READJUSTMENT COUNSELORS, OUT-
REACH SPECIALISTS, AND DIRECTORS OF VET CENTERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In conducting the evaluation of produc-
tivity expectations under subsection (a) (1) and developing the 
staffing model for Vet Centers under subsection (b)(1), the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a working group 
to assess— 
(A) the efficacy, impact, and composition of perform-
ance metrics for such expectations with respect to— 
(i) quality of care and access to care for veterans; 
and 
(ii) the welfare of readjustment counselors and 
other employees of Vet Centers; and 
(B) key considerations for the development of such 
staffing model, including with respect to— 
(i) quality of care and access to care for veterans 
and other individuals eligible for care through Vet 
Centers; and 
(ii) 
recruitment, 
retention, 
and 
welfare 
of 
employees of Vet Centers.
H. R. 7776—822 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The working group established under 
paragraph (1) shall be composed of readjustment counselors, 
outreach specialists, and directors of Vet Centers. 
(3) FEEDBACK AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The working group 
established under paragraph (1) shall provide to the Secretary— 
(A) feedback from readjustment counselors, outreach 
specialists, and directors of Vet Centers; and 
(B) recommendations on how to improve— 
(i) quality of care and access to care for veterans; 
and 
(ii) the welfare of readjustment counselors and 
other employees of Vet Centers. 
(d) IMPROVEMENTS OF HIRING PRACTICES AT VET CENTERS.— 
(1) STANDARDIZATION OF POSITION DESCRIPTIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall standardize descriptions of position respon-
sibilities at Vet Centers. 
(B) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—In each of the first two 
annual reports submitted under section 7309(e) of title 
38, United States Code, after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall include a description of 
the actions taken by the Secretary to carry out subpara-
graph (A). 
(2) EXPANSION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON READJUST-
MENT COUNSELING TO INCLUDE ACTIONS TO REDUCE STAFFING 
VACANCIES AND TIME TO HIRE.—Section 7309(e)(2) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) A description of actions taken by the Secretary to 
reduce— 
‘‘(i) vacancies in counselor positions in the Readjust-
ment Counseling Service; and 
‘‘(ii) the time it takes to hire such counselors.’’. 
(e) REPORT BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE ON VET 
CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE AND FUTURE INVESTMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to Congress a report on physical 
infrastructure and future investments with respect to Vet Cen-
ters. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) An assessment of— 
(i) the condition of the physical infrastructure of 
all assets of Vet Centers, whether owned or leased 
by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
(ii) the short-, medium-, and long-term plans of 
the Department to maintain and upgrade the physical 
infrastructure of Vet Centers to address the operational 
needs of Vet Centers as of the date of the submittal 
of the report and future needs. 
(B) An assessment of management and strategic plan-
ning for the physical infrastructure of Vet Centers, 
including whether the Department should buy or lease 
existing or additional locations in areas with stable or 
growing populations of veterans.
H. R. 7776—823 
(C) An assessment of whether, as of the date of the 
submittal of the report, Vet Center buildings, mobile Vet 
Centers, community access points, and similar infrastruc-
ture are sufficient to care for veterans or if such infrastruc-
ture is negatively affecting care due to limited space for 
veterans and Vet Center personnel or other factors. 
(D) An assessment of the areas with the greatest need 
for investments in— 
(i) improved physical infrastructure, including 
upgraded Vet Centers; or 
(ii) additional physical infrastructure for Vet Cen-
ters, including new Vet Centers owned or leased by 
the Department. 
(E) A description of the authorities and resources that 
may be required for the Secretary to make such invest-
ments. 
(F) A review of all annual reports submitted under 
7309(e) of title 38, United States Code, before the date 
of the submittal of the report under paragraph (1). 
(f) PILOT PROGRAM TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY AMONG VET-
ERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF VETERANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall establish a pilot program to award grants to eligible 
entities to support partnerships that address food insecurity 
among veterans and family members of veterans who receive 
services through Vet Centers or other facilities of the Depart-
ment as determined by the Secretary. 
(2) DURATION
OF
PILOT.—The Secretary shall carry out 
the pilot program for a three-year period beginning on the 
date of the establishment of the pilot program. 
(3) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
may provide eligible entities receiving grant funding under 
the pilot program with training and technical assistance on 
the provision of food insecurity assistance services to veterans 
and family members of veterans. 
(4) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—For purposes of the pilot program, 
an eligible entity is— 
(A) a nonprofit organization; 
(B) an organization recognized by the Secretary for 
the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 
38, United States Code; 
(C) a public agency; 
(D) a community-based organization; or 
(E) an institution of higher education. 
(5) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application 
therefor at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information and commitments as the Secretary may require. 
(6) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall select eligible entities 
that submit applications under paragraph (5) for the award 
of grants under the pilot program using a competitive process 
that takes into account the following: 
(A) Capacity of the applicant entity to serve veterans 
and family members of veterans. 
(B) Demonstrated need of the population the applicant 
entity would serve.
H. R. 7776—824 
(C) Demonstrated need of the applicant entity for 
assistance from the grant. 
(D) Such other criteria as the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(7) DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary shall ensure, to the 
extent practicable, an equitable geographic distribution of 
grants awarded under this subsection. 
(8) 
MINIMUM
PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS.—Any 
grant 
awarded under this subsection shall be used— 
(A) to coordinate with the Secretary with respect to 
the provision of assistance to address food insecurity among 
veterans and family members of veterans described in para-
graph (1); 
(B) to increase participation in nutrition counseling 
programs and provide educational materials and counseling 
to veterans and family members of veterans to address 
food insecurity and healthy diets among those individuals; 
(C) to increase access to and enrollment in Federal 
assistance programs, including the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the special supplemental 
nutrition program for women, infants, and children estab-
lished by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 
(42 U.S.C. 1786), the low-income home energy assistance 
program established under the Low-Income Home Energy 
Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.), and any 
other assistance program that the Secretary considers 
advisable; and 
(D) to fulfill such other criteria as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate to further the purpose of the grant and 
serve veterans. 
(9) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—Each entity that receives 
a grant under this subsection shall provide to the Secretary, 
at least once each year during the duration of the grant term, 
data on— 
(A) the number of veterans and family members of 
veterans screened for, and enrolled in, programs described 
in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (8); 
(B) other services provided by the entity to veterans 
and family members of veterans using funds from the 
grant; and 
(C) such other data as the Secretary may require. 
(10) REPORT ON DATA COLLECTED.—For each year of oper-
ation of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the data col-
lected under paragraph (9) during such year. 
(11) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date on which the pilot program terminates, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to Con-
gress a report evaluating the effectiveness and outcomes 
of the activities carried out under this subsection in 
reducing food insecurity among veterans and family mem-
bers of veterans. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—The report required by subparagraph 
(A) shall include the following:
H. R. 7776—825 
(i) A summary of the activities carried out under 
this subsection. 
(ii) An assessment of the effectiveness and out-
comes of the grants awarded under this subsection, 
including with respect to eligibility screening contacts, 
application assistance consultations, and changes in 
food insecurity among the population served by the 
grant. 
(iii) Best practices regarding the use of partner-
ships to improve the effectiveness and outcomes of 
public benefit programs to address food insecurity 
among veterans and family members of veterans. 
(iv) An assessment of the feasibility and advis-
ability of making the pilot program permanent and 
expanding to other locations. 
(12) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out the pilot program established under 
paragraph (1) $15,000,000 for each fiscal year in which 
the program is carried out, beginning with the fiscal year 
in which the program is established. 
(B) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES.—Of 
the 
amounts 
authorized to be appropriated under subparagraph (A), not 
more than ten percent may be used for administrative 
expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs associated 
with administering grants under this subsection. 
(13) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ 
means— 
(i) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the Com-
mittee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and 
(ii) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the Com-
mittee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives. 
(B) The term ‘‘facilities of the Department’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 1701(3) of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(C) The term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(D) The term ‘‘public agency’’ means a department, 
agency, other unit, or instrumentality of Federal, State, 
Tribal, or local government. 
(E) The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning given that term 
in section 101(20) of title 38, United States Code. 
(F) The term ‘‘veteran’’ means an individual who served 
in the Armed Forces, including an individual who served 
in a reserve component of the Armed Forces, and who 
was discharged or released therefrom, regardless of the 
conditions of such discharge or release. 
(g) DEFINITION OF VET CENTER.—In this section, the term ‘‘Vet 
Center’’ has the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of 
title 38, United States Code.
H. R. 7776—826 
SEC. 5127. INFORMATION ON CERTAIN VETERANS WITH PRIOR MED-
ICAL OCCUPATIONS; PROGRAM ON INTERMEDIATE CARE 
TECHNICIANS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) UPDATE OF WEB PORTAL TO IDENTIFY CERTAIN VETERANS.— 
(1) UPDATE.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
update web portals of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
provide for a method by which a veteran who served in a 
medical occupation while serving as a member of the Armed 
Forces may elect to provide the information described in para-
graph (2). 
(2) INFORMATION IN PORTAL.—The information described 
in this paragraph is the following: 
(A) Contact information for the veteran. 
(B) A history of the medical experience and trained 
competencies of the veteran. 
(3) INCLUSIONS IN HISTORY.—To the extent practicable, the 
history of a veteran provided under paragraph (2)(B) shall 
include individual critical task lists specific to the military 
occupational specialty of the veteran that align with standard 
occupational codes maintained by the Commissioner of the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
(4) SHARING OF INFORMATION.—For purposes of facilitating 
civilian medical credentialing and hiring opportunities for vet-
erans seeking to respond to a national emergency, including 
a public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary 
of Labor, shall establish a program to share the information 
described in paragraph (2) with the following: 
(A) State departments of veterans affairs. 
(B) Veterans service organizations. 
(C) State credentialing bodies. 
(D) State homes. 
(E) 
Other 
stakeholders 
involved 
in 
State-level 
credentialing, as determined appropriate by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) PROGRAM ON TRAINING OF INTERMEDIATE CARE TECHNICIANS 
OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall establish a program to train, certify, and employ covered 
veterans as intermediate care technicians of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
assign an intermediate care technician of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs trained under the program under paragraph 
(1) to any medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
giving priority to locations with a significant staffing shortage. 
(3) INCLUSION OF INFORMATION IN TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM.—As part of the Transition Assistance Program under 
sections 1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a communications 
campaign to convey to appropriate members of the Armed 
Forces separating from active duty opportunities for training, 
certification, and employment under the program under para-
graph (1).
H. R. 7776—827 
(4) REPORT ON EXPANSION OF PROGRAM.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a report on whether the program under paragraph 
(1) may be replicated for other medical positions within the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(c) NOTIFICATION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS.—The Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall notify veterans service organizations 
and, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, members of 
the reserve components of the Armed Forces of opportunities for 
veterans under this section. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a veteran whom 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines served as a basic 
health care technician while serving in the Armed Forces. 
(2) The terms ‘‘State home’’ and ‘‘veteran’’ have the 
meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(3) The term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ means an 
organization that provides services to veterans, including 
organizations recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
TITLE LII—INSPECTOR GENERAL INDE-
PENDENCE AND EMPOWERMENT MAT-
TERS 
Subtitle A—Inspector General Independence 
Sec. 5201. Short title. 
Sec. 5202. Removal or transfer of Inspectors General; placement on non-duty sta-
tus. 
Sec. 5203. Vacancy in position of Inspector General. 
Sec. 5204. Office of Inspector General whistleblower complaints. 
Subtitle B—Presidential Explanation of Failure to Nominate an Inspector General 
Sec. 5221. Presidential explanation of failure to nominate an Inspector General. 
Subtitle C—Integrity Committee of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity 
and Efficiency Transparency 
Sec. 5231. Short title. 
Sec. 5232. Additional information to be included in requests and reports to Con-
gress. 
Sec. 5233. Availability of information to Congress on certain allegations of wrong-
doing closed without referral. 
Sec. 5234. Semiannual report. 
Sec. 5235. Additional reports. 
Sec. 5236. Requirement to report final disposition to Congress. 
Sec. 5237. Investigations of Offices of Inspector General of establishments by the 
Integrity Committee. 
Subtitle D—Notice of Ongoing Investigations When There Is a Change in Status of 
Inspector General 
Sec. 5241. Notice of ongoing investigations when there is a change in status of In-
spector General. 
Subtitle E—Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Report on 
Expenditures 
Sec. 5251. CIGIE report on expenditures.
H. R. 7776—828 
Subtitle F—Notice of Refusal to Provide Inspectors General Access 
Sec. 5261. Notice of refusal to provide information or assistance to Inspectors Gen-
eral. 
Subtitle G—Training Resources for Inspectors General and Other Matters 
Sec. 5271. Training resources for Inspectors General. 
Sec. 5272. Definition of appropriate congressional committees. 
Sec. 5273. Semiannual reports. 
Sec. 5274. Submission of reports that specifically identify non-governmental organi-
zations or business entities. 
Sec. 5275. Review relating to vetting, processing, and resettlement of evacuees 
from Afghanistan and the Afghanistan special immigrant visa program. 
Subtitle A—Inspector General 
Independence 
SEC. 5201. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Securing Inspector General 
Independence Act of 2022’’. 
SEC. 5202. REMOVAL OR TRANSFER OF INSPECTORS GENERAL; PLACE-
MENT ON NON-DUTY STATUS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App.) is amended— 
(1) in section 3(b)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(1)(A)’’ after ‘‘(b)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), as so designated— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), as so designated, in the 
second sentence— 
(I) by striking ‘‘reasons’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘substantive rationale, including detailed 
and case-specific reasons,’’; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘(including to the appropriate 
congressional committees)’’ after ‘‘Houses of Con-
gress’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) If there is an open or completed inquiry into 
an Inspector General that relates to the removal or transfer 
of the Inspector General under subparagraph (A), the writ-
ten communication required under that subparagraph 
shall— 
‘‘(i) identify each entity that is conducting, or that 
conducted, the inquiry; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a completed inquiry, contain 
the findings made during the inquiry.’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2)(A) Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, 
only the President may place an Inspector General on non- 
duty status. 
‘‘(B) If the President places an Inspector General on non- 
duty status, the President shall communicate in writing the 
substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific rea-
sons, for the change in status to both Houses of Congress 
(including to the appropriate congressional committees) not 
later than 15 days before the date on which the change in 
status takes effect, except that the President may submit that 
communication not later than the date on which the change 
in status takes effect if—
H. R. 7776—829 
‘‘(i) the President has made a determination that the 
continued presence of the Inspector General in the work-
place poses a threat described in any of clauses (i) through 
(iv) of section 6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code; 
and 
‘‘(ii) in the communication, the President includes a 
report on the determination described in clause (i), which 
shall include— 
‘‘(I) a specification of which clause of section 
6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, the Presi-
dent has determined applies under clause (i) of this 
subparagraph; 
‘‘(II) the substantive rationale, including detailed 
and case-specific reasons, for the determination made 
under clause (i); 
‘‘(III) an identification of each entity that is con-
ducting, or that conducted, any inquiry upon which 
the determination under clause (i) was made; and 
‘‘(IV) in the case of an inquiry described in sub-
clause (III) that is completed, the findings made during 
that inquiry. 
‘‘(C) The President may not place an Inspector General 
on non-duty status during the 30-day period preceding the 
date on which the Inspector General is removed or transferred 
under paragraph (1)(A) unless the President— 
‘‘(i) has made a determination that the continued pres-
ence of the Inspector General in the workplace poses a 
threat described in any of clauses (i) through (iv) of section 
6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code; and 
‘‘(ii) not later than the date on which the change in 
status takes effect, submits to both Houses of Congress 
(including to the appropriate congressional committees) a 
written communication that contains the information 
required under subparagraph (B), including the report 
required under clause (ii) of that subparagraph. 
‘‘(D) For the purposes of this paragraph— 
‘‘(i) the term ‘Inspector General’— 
‘‘(I) means an Inspector General who was 
appointed by the President, without regard to whether 
the Senate provided advice and consent with respect 
to that appointment; and 
‘‘(II) includes the Inspector General of an establish-
ment, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 
Reconstruction, the Special Inspector General for the 
Troubled Asset Relief Program, and the Special 
Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery; and 
‘‘(ii) a reference to the removal or transfer of an 
Inspector General under paragraph (1), or to the written 
communication described in that paragraph, shall be 
considered to be— 
‘‘(I) in the case of the Special Inspector General 
for Afghanistan Reconstruction, a reference to section 
1229(c)(6) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110–181; 122 Stat. 
378); 
‘‘(II) in the case of the Special Inspector General 
for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, a reference
H. R. 7776—831 
‘‘(III) an identification of each entity that is con-
ducting, or that conducted, any inquiry upon which 
the determination under clause (i) was made; and 
‘‘(IV) in the case of an inquiry described in sub-
clause (III) that is completed, the findings made during 
that inquiry. 
‘‘(C) A covered official may not place an Inspector General 
on non-duty status during the 30-day period preceding the 
date on which the Inspector General is removed or transferred 
under paragraph (2)(A) unless the covered official— 
‘‘(i) has made a determination that the continued pres-
ence of the Inspector General in the workplace poses a 
threat described in any of clauses (i) through (iv) of section 
6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code; and 
‘‘(ii) not later than the date on which the change in 
status takes effect, submits to both Houses of Congress 
(including to the appropriate congressional committees) a 
written communication that contains the information 
required under subparagraph (B), including the report 
required under clause (ii) of that subparagraph. 
‘‘(D) Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to limit 
or otherwise modify— 
‘‘(i) any statutory protection that is afforded to an 
Inspector General; or 
‘‘(ii) any other action that a covered official may take 
under law with respect to an Inspector General.’’; 
(3) in section 103H(c) of the National Security Act (50 
U.S.C. 3033(c))— 
(A) in paragraph (4)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ after ‘‘(4)’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A), as so designated, in the 
second sentence, by striking ‘‘reasons’’ and inserting 
‘‘substantive rationale, including detailed and case-spe-
cific reasons,’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) If there is an open or completed inquiry into the 
Inspector General that relates to the removal or transfer of 
the Inspector General under subparagraph (A), the written 
communication required under that subparagraph shall— 
‘‘(i) identify each entity that is conducting, or that 
conducted, the inquiry; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a completed inquiry, contain the 
findings made during the inquiry.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5)(A) Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, 
only the President may place the Inspector General on nonduty 
status. 
‘‘(B) If the President places the Inspector General on 
nonduty status, the President shall communicate in writing 
the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific 
reasons, for the change in status to the congressional intel-
ligence committees not later than 15 days before the date 
on which the change in status takes effect, except that the 
President may submit that communication not later than the 
date on which the change in status takes effect if—
H. R. 7776—832 
‘‘(i) the President has made a determination that the 
continued presence of the Inspector General in the work-
place poses a threat described in any of clauses (i) through 
(iv) of section 6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code; 
and 
‘‘(ii) in the communication, the President includes a 
report on the determination described in clause (i), which 
shall include— 
‘‘(I) a specification of which clause of section 
6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, the Presi-
dent has determined applies under clause (i); 
‘‘(II) the substantive rationale, including detailed 
and case-specific reasons, for the determination made 
under clause (i); 
‘‘(III) an identification of each entity that is con-
ducting, or that conducted, any inquiry upon which 
the determination under clause (i) was made; and 
‘‘(IV) in the case of an inquiry described in sub-
clause (III) that is completed, the findings made during 
that inquiry. 
‘‘(C) The President may not place the Inspector General 
on nonduty status during the 30-day period preceding the date 
on which the Inspector General is removed or transferred under 
paragraph (4)(A) unless the President— 
‘‘(i) has made a determination that the continued pres-
ence of the Inspector General in the workplace poses a 
threat described in any of clauses (i) through (iv) of section 
6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code; and 
‘‘(ii) not later than the date on which the change in 
status takes effect, submits to the congressional intelligence 
committees a written communication that contains the 
information required under subparagraph (B), including 
the report required under clause (ii) of that subparagraph.’’; 
and 
(4) in section 17(b) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act 
of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 3517(b))— 
(A) in paragraph (6)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘(A)’’ after ‘‘(6)’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A), as so designated, in the 
second sentence, by striking ‘‘reasons’’ and inserting 
‘‘substantive rationale, including detailed and case-spe-
cific reasons,’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) If there is an open or completed inquiry into the 
Inspector General that relates to the removal or transfer of 
the Inspector General under subparagraph (A), the written 
communication required under that subparagraph shall— 
‘‘(i) identify each entity that is conducting, or that 
conducted, the inquiry; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a completed inquiry, contain the 
findings made during the inquiry.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7)(A) Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, 
only the President may place the Inspector General on nonduty 
status. 
‘‘(B) If the President places the Inspector General on 
nonduty status, the President shall communicate in writing
H. R. 7776—833 
the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific 
reasons, for the change in status to the congressional intel-
ligence committees not later than 15 days before the date 
on which the change in status takes effect, except that the 
President may submit that communication not later than the 
date on which the change in status takes effect if— 
‘‘(i) the President has made a determination that the 
continued presence of the Inspector General in the work-
place poses a threat described in any of clauses (i) through 
(iv) of section 6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code; 
and 
‘‘(ii) in the communication, the President includes a 
report on the determination described in clause (i), which 
shall include— 
‘‘(I) a specification of which clause of section 
6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, the Presi-
dent has determined applies under clause (i); 
‘‘(II) the substantive rationale, including detailed 
and case-specific reasons, for the determination made 
under clause (i); 
‘‘(III) an identification of each entity that is con-
ducting, or that conducted, any inquiry upon which 
the determination under clause (i) was made; and 
‘‘(IV) in the case of an inquiry described in sub-
clause (III) that is completed, the findings made during 
that inquiry. 
‘‘(C) The President may not place the Inspector General 
on non-duty status during the 30-day period preceding the 
date on which the Inspector General is removed or transferred 
under paragraph (6)(A) unless the President— 
‘‘(i) has made a determination that the continued pres-
ence of the Inspector General in the workplace poses a 
threat described in any of clauses (i) through (iv) of section 
6329b(b)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code; and 
‘‘(ii) not later than the date on which the change in 
status takes effect, submits to the congressional intelligence 
committees a written communication that contains the 
information required under subparagraph (B), including 
the report required under clause (ii) of that subparagraph.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 12(3) 
of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘except as otherwise expressly provided,’’ before ‘‘the 
term’’. 
SEC. 5203. VACANCY IN POSITION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3 of the Inspector General Act of 
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h)(1) In this subsection— 
‘‘(A) the term ‘first assistant to the position of Inspector 
General’ means, with respect to an Office of Inspector General— 
‘‘(i) an individual who, as of the day before the date 
on which the Inspector General dies, resigns, or otherwise 
becomes unable to perform the functions and duties of 
that position— 
‘‘(I) is serving in a position in that Office; and 
‘‘(II) has been designated in writing by the 
Inspector General, through an order of succession or
H. R. 7776—834 
otherwise, as the first assistant to the position of 
Inspector General; or 
‘‘(ii) if the Inspector General has not made a designa-
tion described in clause (i)(II)— 
‘‘(I) the Principal Deputy Inspector General of that 
Office, as of the day before the date on which the 
Inspector General dies, resigns, or otherwise becomes 
unable to perform the functions and duties of that 
position; or 
‘‘(II) if there is no Principal Deputy Inspector Gen-
eral of that Office, the Deputy Inspector General of 
that Office, as of the day before the date on which 
the Inspector General dies, resigns, or otherwise 
becomes unable to perform the functions and duties 
of that position; and 
‘‘(B) the term ‘Inspector General’— 
‘‘(i) means an Inspector General who is appointed by 
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate; and 
‘‘(ii) includes the Inspector General of an establish-
ment, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset 
Relief Program, and the Special Inspector General for Pan-
demic Recovery. 
‘‘(2) If an Inspector General dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable 
to perform the functions and duties of the position— 
‘‘(A) section 3345(a) of title 5, United States Code, and 
section 103(e) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
3025(e)) shall not apply; 
‘‘(B) subject to paragraph (4), the first assistant to the 
position of Inspector General shall perform the functions and 
duties of the Inspector General temporarily in an acting 
capacity subject to the time limitations of section 3346 of title 
5, United States Code; and 
‘‘(C) notwithstanding subparagraph (B), and subject to 
paragraphs (4) and (5), the President (and only the President) 
may direct an officer or employee of any Office of an Inspector 
General to perform the functions and duties of the Inspector 
General temporarily in an acting capacity subject to the time 
limitations of section 3346 of title 5, United States Code, only 
if— 
‘‘(i) during the 365-day period preceding the date of 
death, resignation, or beginning of inability to serve of 
the Inspector General, the officer or employee served in 
a position in an Office of an Inspector General for not 
less than 90 days, except that— 
‘‘(I) the requirement under this clause shall not 
apply if the officer is an Inspector General; and 
‘‘(II) for the purposes of this subparagraph, per-
forming the functions and duties of an Inspector Gen-
eral temporarily in an acting capacity does not qualify 
as service in a position in an Office of an Inspector 
General; 
‘‘(ii) the rate of pay for the position of the officer 
or employee described in clause (i) is equal to or greater 
than the minimum rate of pay payable for a position at 
GS–15 of the General Schedule;
H. R. 7776—835 
‘‘(iii) the officer or employee has demonstrated ability 
in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, manage-
ment analysis, public administration, or investigations; and 
‘‘(iv) not later than 30 days before the date on which 
the direction takes effect, the President communicates in 
writing to both Houses of Congress (including to the appro-
priate congressional committees) the substantive rationale, 
including the detailed and case-specific reasons, for such 
direction, including the reason for the direction that some-
one other than the individual who is performing the func-
tions and duties of the Inspector General temporarily in 
an acting capacity (as of the date on which the President 
issues that direction) perform those functions and duties 
temporarily in an acting capacity. 
‘‘(3) Notwithstanding section 3345(a) of title 5, United States 
Code, and subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2), and subject 
to paragraph (4), during any period in which an Inspector General 
is on non-duty status— 
‘‘(A) the first assistant to the position of Inspector General 
shall perform the functions and duties of the position tempo-
rarily in an acting capacity subject to the time limitations 
of section 3346 of title 5, United States Code; and 
‘‘(B) if the first assistant described in subparagraph (A) 
dies, resigns, or becomes otherwise unable to perform those 
functions and duties, the President (and only the President) 
may direct an officer or employee in that Office of Inspector 
General to perform those functions and duties temporarily in 
an acting capacity, subject to the time limitations of section 
3346 of title 5, United States Code, if— 
‘‘(i) that direction satisfies the requirements under 
clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(C); and 
‘‘(ii) that officer or employee served in a position in 
that Office of Inspector General for not fewer than 90 
of the 365 days preceding the date on which the President 
makes that direction. 
‘‘(4) An individual may perform the functions and duties of 
an Inspector General temporarily and in an acting capacity under 
subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2), or under paragraph 
(3), with respect to only 1 Inspector General position at any given 
time. 
‘‘(5) If the President makes a direction under paragraph (2)(C), 
during the 30-day period preceding the date on which the direction 
of the President takes effect, the functions and duties of the position 
of the applicable Inspector General shall be performed by— 
‘‘(A) the first assistant to the position of Inspector General; 
or 
‘‘(B) the individual performing those functions and duties 
temporarily in an acting capacity, as of the date on which 
the President issues that direction, if that individual is an 
individual other than the first assistant to the position of 
Inspector General.’’. 
(b) AMENDMENT TO NATIONAL SECURITY ACT.—Section 103H(c) 
of the National Security Act (50 U.S.C. 3033(c)), as amended by 
section 5202, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6)(A) In this subsection, the term ‘first assistant to the 
position of Inspector General’ has the meaning given in section 
3 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
H. R. 7776—839 
under clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (B), or under subpara-
graph (C), with respect to only 1 Inspector General position 
at any given time. 
‘‘(E) If the President makes a direction under subparagraph 
(B)(iii), during the 30-day period preceding the date on which 
the direction of the President takes effect, the functions and 
duties of the position of the Inspector General shall be per-
formed by— 
‘‘(i) the first assistant to the position of Inspector Gen-
eral; or 
‘‘(ii) the individual performing those functions and 
duties temporarily in an acting capacity, as of the date 
on which the President issues that direction, if that indi-
vidual is an individual other than the first assistant to 
the position of Inspector General.’’. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the amendment made 
by subsection (a) may be construed to limit the applicability of 
sections 3345 through 3349d of title 5, United States Code (com-
monly known as the ‘‘Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998’’), 
other than with respect to section 3345(a) of that title. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘Inspector 
General’’ has the meaning given the term in subsection (h)(1)(B) 
of section 3 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App.), as added by subsection (a) of this section. 
(2) APPLICABILITY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), this section, and the amendments made by this section, 
shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(B) EXISTING VACANCIES.—If, as of the date of enact-
ment of this Act, an individual is performing the functions 
and duties of an Inspector General temporarily in an acting 
capacity, this section, and the amendments made by this 
section, shall take effect with respect to that Inspector 
General position on the date that is 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 5204. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL WHISTLEBLOWER COM-
PLAINTS. 
(a) 
WHISTLEBLOWER
PROTECTION
COORDINATOR.—Section 
3(d)(1)(C) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) 
is amended— 
(1) in clause (i), in the matter preceding subclause (I), 
by inserting ‘‘, including employees of that Office of Inspector 
General’’ after ‘‘employees’’; and 
(2) in clause (iii), by inserting ‘‘(including the Integrity 
Committee of that Council)’’ after ‘‘and Efficiency’’. 
(b) COUNCIL OF THE INSPECTORS GENERAL ON INTEGRITY AND 
EFFICIENCY.—Section 11(c)(5)(B) of the Inspector General Act of 
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by striking ‘‘, allegations of 
reprisal,’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘and allegations of reprisal 
(including the timely and appropriate handling and consideration 
of protected disclosures and allegations of reprisal that are internal 
to an Office of Inspector General)’’.
H. R. 7776—840 
Subtitle B—Presidential Explanation of 
Failure to Nominate an Inspector General 
SEC. 5221. PRESIDENTIAL EXPLANATION OF FAILURE TO NOMINATE 
AN INSPECTOR GENERAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 5, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3349d the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 3349e. Presidential explanation of failure to nominate an 
inspector general 
‘‘If the President fails to make a formal nomination for a 
vacant inspector general position that requires a formal nomination 
by the President to be filled within the period beginning on the 
later of the date on which the vacancy occurred or on which a 
nomination is rejected, withdrawn, or returned, and ending on 
the day that is 210 days after that date, the President shall commu-
nicate, within 30 days after the end of such period and not later 
than June 1 of each year thereafter, to the appropriate congressional 
committees, as defined in section 12 of the Inspector General Act 
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)— 
‘‘(1) the reasons why the President has not yet made a 
formal nomination; and 
‘‘(2) a target date for making a formal nomination.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of 
sections for subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 5, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
3349d the following: 
‘‘3349e. Presidential explanation of failure to nominate an Inspector General.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect— 
(1) on the date of enactment of this Act with respect to 
any vacancy first occurring on or after that date; and 
(2) on the day that is 210 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act with respect to any vacancy that occurred before 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
Subtitle C—Integrity Committee of the 
Council of Inspectors General on Integ-
rity and Efficiency Transparency 
SEC. 5231. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Integrity Committee Trans-
parency Act of 2022’’. 
SEC. 5232. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REQUESTS 
AND REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
Section 11(d) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App.) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (5)(B)(ii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘, the length of time the Integrity Committee 
has been evaluating the allegation of wrongdoing, and a descrip-
tion of any previous written notice provided under this clause
H. R. 7776—841 
with respect to the allegation of wrongdoing, including the 
description provided for why additional time was needed.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (8)(A)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or corrective action’’ 
after ‘‘disciplinary action’’. 
SEC. 5233. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION TO CONGRESS ON CERTAIN 
ALLEGATIONS 
OF 
WRONGDOING 
CLOSED 
WITHOUT 
REFERRAL. 
Section 11(d)(5)(B) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION TO CONGRESS 
ON
CERTAIN
ALLEGATIONS
OF
WRONGDOING
CLOSED 
WITHOUT REFERRAL.—With respect to an allegation of 
wrongdoing made by a member of Congress that is 
closed by the Integrity Committee without referral to 
the Chairperson of the Integrity Committee to initiate 
an investigation, the Chairperson of the Integrity Com-
mittee shall, not later than 60 days after closing the 
allegation of wrongdoing, provide a written description 
of the nature of the allegation of wrongdoing and how 
the Integrity Committee evaluated the allegation of 
wrongdoing to— 
‘‘(I) the Chair and Ranking Minority Member 
of the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and 
‘‘(II) the Chair and Ranking Minority Member 
of the Committee on Oversight and Reform of the 
House of Representatives.’’. 
SEC. 5234. SEMIANNUAL REPORT. 
Section 11(d)(9) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App.) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(9) SEMIANNUAL
REPORT.—On or before May 31, 2023, 
and every 6 months thereafter, the Council shall submit to 
Congress and the President a report on the activities of the 
Integrity Committee during the immediately preceding 6-month 
periods ending March 31 and September 30, which shall include 
the following with respect to allegations of wrongdoing that 
are made against Inspectors General and staff members of 
the various Offices of Inspector General described in paragraph 
(4)(C): 
‘‘(A) An overview and analysis of the allegations of 
wrongdoing disposed of by the Integrity Committee, 
including— 
‘‘(i) analysis of the positions held by individuals 
against whom allegations were made, including the 
duties affiliated with such positions; 
‘‘(ii) analysis of the categories or types of the 
allegations of wrongdoing; and 
‘‘(iii) a summary of disposition of all the allega-
tions. 
‘‘(B) The number of allegations received by the Integrity 
Committee. 
‘‘(C) The number of allegations referred to the Depart-
ment of Justice or the Office of Special Counsel, including 
the number of allegations referred for criminal investiga-
tion.
H. R. 7776—842 
‘‘(D) The number of allegations referred to the Chair-
person of the Integrity Committee for investigation, a gen-
eral description of the status of such investigations, and 
a summary of the findings of investigations completed. 
‘‘(E) An overview and analysis of allegations of wrong-
doing received by the Integrity Committee during any pre-
vious reporting period, but remained pending during some 
part of the six months covered by the report, including— 
‘‘(i) analysis of the positions held by individuals 
against whom allegations were made, including the 
duties affiliated with such positions; 
‘‘(ii) analysis of the categories or types of the 
allegations of wrongdoing; and 
‘‘(iii) a summary of disposition of all the allega-
tions. 
‘‘(F) The number and category or type of pending inves-
tigations. 
‘‘(G) For each allegation received— 
‘‘(i) the date on which the investigation was 
opened; 
‘‘(ii) the date on which the allegation was disposed 
of, as applicable; and 
‘‘(iii) the case number associated with the allega-
tion. 
‘‘(H) The nature and number of allegations to the Integ-
rity Committee closed without referral, including the jus-
tification for why each allegation was closed without 
referral. 
‘‘(I) A brief description of any difficulty encountered 
by the Integrity Committee when receiving, evaluating, 
investigating, or referring for investigation an allegation 
received by the Integrity Committee, including a brief 
description of— 
‘‘(i) any attempt to prevent or hinder an investiga-
tion; or 
‘‘(ii) concerns about the integrity or operations at 
an Office of Inspector General. 
‘‘(J) Other matters that the Council considers appro-
priate.’’. 
SEC. 5235. ADDITIONAL REPORTS. 
Section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections 
(g) and (h), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: 
‘‘(e) ADDITIONAL REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) REPORT TO INSPECTOR GENERAL.—The Chairperson of 
the Integrity Committee of the Council of the Inspectors Gen-
eral on Integrity and Efficiency shall, immediately whenever 
the Chairperson of the Integrity Committee becomes aware 
of particularly serious or flagrant problems, abuses, or defi-
ciencies relating to the administration of programs and oper-
ations of an Office of Inspector General for which the Integrity 
Committee may receive, review, and refer for investigation 
allegations of wrongdoing under section 11(d), submit a report 
to the Inspector General who leads the Office at which the
H. R. 7776—843 
serious or flagrant problems, abuses, or deficiencies were 
alleged. 
‘‘(2) REPORT TO PRESIDENT, CONGRESS, AND THE ESTABLISH-
MENT.—Not later than 7 days after the date on which an 
Inspector General receives a report submitted under paragraph 
(1), the Inspector General shall submit to the President, the 
appropriate congressional committees, and the head of the 
establishment— 
‘‘(A) the report received under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) a report by the Inspector General containing any 
comments the Inspector General determines appropriate.’’. 
SEC. 5236. REQUIREMENT TO REPORT FINAL DISPOSITION TO CON-
GRESS. 
Section 11(d)(8)(B) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
U.S.C. App.) is amended by inserting ‘‘and the appropriate congres-
sional committees’’ after ‘‘Integrity Committee’’. 
SEC. 5237. INVESTIGATIONS OF OFFICES OF INSPECTOR GENERAL OF 
ESTABLISHMENTS BY THE INTEGRITY COMMITTEE. 
Section 11(d)(7)(B)(i)(V) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 
(5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by inserting ‘‘, and that an investigation 
of an Office of Inspector General of an establishment is conducted 
by another Office of Inspector General of an establishment’’ after 
‘‘size’’. 
Subtitle D—Notice of Ongoing Investiga-
tions When There Is a Change in Status 
of Inspector General 
SEC. 5241. NOTICE OF ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS WHEN THERE IS 
A CHANGE IN STATUS OF INSPECTOR GENERAL. 
Section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) 
is amended by inserting after subsection (e), as added by section 
5625 of this title, the following: 
‘‘(f)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), not later than 
15 days after an Inspector General is removed, placed on paid 
or unpaid nonduty status, or transferred to another position or 
location within an establishment, the officer or employee performing 
the functions and duties of the Inspector General temporarily in 
an acting capacity shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees information regarding work being conducted by the 
Office as of the date on which the Inspector General was removed, 
placed on paid or unpaid non-duty status, or transferred, which 
shall include— 
‘‘(A) for each investigation— 
‘‘(i) the type of alleged offense; 
‘‘(ii) the fiscal quarter in which the Office initiated 
the investigation; 
‘‘(iii) the relevant Federal agency, including the rel-
evant component of that Federal agency for any Federal 
agency listed in section 901(b) of title 31, United States 
Code, under investigation or affiliated with the individual 
or entity under investigation; and
H. R. 7776—846 
committees, including the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘committees or 
subcommittees of the Congress’’ and inserting ‘‘congres-
sional committees’’; 
(4) in section 8D— 
(A) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘Committees on 
Governmental Affairs and Finance of the Senate and the 
Committees on Government Operations and Ways and 
Means of the House of Representatives, and to other appro-
priate committees or subcommittees of the Congress’’ and 
inserting ‘‘appropriate congressional committees, including 
the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee 
on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (g)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘committees or subcommittees 
of the Congress’’ and inserting ‘‘congressional 
committees’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘Committees on Governmental 
Affairs and Finance of the Senate and the Commit-
tees on Government Reform and Oversight and 
Ways and Means of the House of Representatives’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Committee on Finance of the Senate 
and the Committee on Ways and Means of the 
House of Representatives’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘committees or 
subcommittees of Congress’’ and inserting ‘‘congres-
sional committees’’; 
(5) in section 8E— 
(A) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘Committees on 
Governmental Affairs and Judiciary of the Senate and the 
Committees on Government Operations and Judiciary of 
the House of Representatives, and to other appropriate 
committees or subcommittees of the Congress’’ and 
inserting ‘‘appropriate congressional committees, including 
the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the 
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representa-
tives’’; and 
(B) in subsection (c)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘committees or subcommittees of 
the Congress’’ and inserting ‘‘congressional commit-
tees’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Committees on the Judiciary and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Commit-
tees on the Judiciary and Government Operations of 
the House of Representatives’’ and inserting ‘‘Com-
mittee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary of the House of Representa-
tives’’; 
(6) in section 8G(f)(3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking ‘‘Committee 
on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Government Reform and Oversight of the House of 
Representatives, and to other appropriate committees or
H. R. 7776—847 
subcommittees of the Congress’’ and inserting ‘‘the appro-
priate congressional committees’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (C); 
(7) in section 8I— 
(A) in subsection (a)(3), in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘committees and subcommit-
tees of Congress’’ and inserting ‘‘congressional committees’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘committees and sub-
committees of Congress’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘congressional committees’’; 
(8) in section 8N(b), by striking ‘‘committees of Congress’’ 
and inserting ‘‘congressional committees’’; 
(9) in section 11— 
(A) in subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)— 
(i) by striking subclauses (III) and (IV); 
(ii) in subclause (I), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(iii) by amending subclause (II) to read as follows: 
‘‘(II) the appropriate congressional commit-
tees.’’; and 
(B) in subsection (d)(8)(A)(iii), by striking ‘‘to the’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘jurisdiction’’ and inserting ‘‘to 
the appropriate congressional committees’’; and 
(10) in section 12— 
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ 
means— 
‘‘(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs of the Senate; 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Oversight and Reform of the 
House of Representatives; and 
‘‘(C) any other relevant congressional committee or sub-
committee of jurisdiction.’’. 
SEC. 5273. SEMIANNUAL REPORTS. 
The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended— 
(1) in section 4(a)(2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, including’’ after ‘‘to make rec-
ommendations’’; and 
(B) by inserting a comma after ‘‘section 5(a)’’; 
(2) in section 5— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) by striking paragraphs (1) through (12) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) a description of significant problems, abuses, and defi-
ciencies relating to the administration of programs and oper-
ations of the establishment and associated reports and rec-
ommendations for corrective action made by the Office; 
‘‘(2) an identification of each recommendation made before 
the reporting period, for which corrective action has not been 
completed, including the potential costs savings associated with 
the recommendation;
H. R. 7776—848 
‘‘(3) a summary of significant investigations closed during 
the reporting period; 
‘‘(4) an identification of the total number of convictions 
during the reporting period resulting from investigations; 
‘‘(5) information regarding each audit, inspection, or evalua-
tion report issued during the reporting period, including— 
‘‘(A) a listing of each audit, inspection, or evaluation; 
‘‘(B) if applicable, the total dollar value of questioned 
costs (including a separate category for the dollar value 
of unsupported costs) and the dollar value of recommenda-
tions that funds be put to better use, including whether 
a management decision had been made by the end of the 
reporting period; 
‘‘(6) information regarding any management decision made 
during the reporting period with respect to any audit, inspec-
tion, or evaluation issued during a previous reporting period;’’; 
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (22) 
as paragraphs (7) through (16), respectively; 
(iii) by amending paragraph (13), as so redesig-
nated, to read as follows: 
‘‘(13) a report on each investigation conducted by the Office 
where allegations of misconduct were substantiated involving 
a senior Government employee or senior official (as defined 
by the Office) if the establishment does not have senior Govern-
ment employees, which shall include— 
‘‘(A) the name of the senior Government employee, 
if already made public by the Office; and 
‘‘(B) a detailed description of— 
‘‘(i) the facts and circumstances of the investiga-
tion; and 
‘‘(ii) the status and disposition of the matter, 
including— 
‘‘(I) if the matter was referred to the Depart-
ment of Justice, the date of the referral; and 
‘‘(II) if the Department of Justice declined the 
referral, the date of the declination;’’; and 
(iv) by amending paragraph (15), as so redesig-
nated, to read as follows: 
‘‘(15) information related to interference by the establish-
ment, including— 
‘‘(A) a detailed description of any attempt by the 
establishment to interfere with the independence of the 
Office, including— 
‘‘(i) with budget constraints designed to limit the 
capabilities of the Office; and 
‘‘(ii) incidents where the establishment has resisted 
or objected to oversight activities of the Office or 
restricted or significantly delayed access to informa-
tion, including the justification of the establishment 
for such action; and 
‘‘(B) a summary of each report made to the head of 
the establishment under section 6(c)(2) during the reporting 
period;’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting 
the following:
H. R. 7776—849 
‘‘(2) where final action on audit, inspection, and evaluation 
reports had not been taken before the commencement of the 
reporting period, statistical tables showing— 
‘‘(A) with respect to management decisions— 
‘‘(i) for each report, whether a management deci-
sion was made during the reporting period; 
‘‘(ii) if a management decision was made during 
the reporting period, the dollar value of disallowed 
costs and funds to be put to better use as agreed 
to in the management decision; and 
‘‘(iii) total number of reports where a management 
decision was made during the reporting period and 
the total corresponding dollar value of disallowed costs 
and funds to be put to better use as agreed to in 
the management decision; and 
‘‘(B) with respect to final actions— 
‘‘(i) whether, if a management decision was made 
before the end of the reporting period, final action 
was taken during the reporting period; 
‘‘(ii) if final action was taken, the dollar value 
of— 
‘‘(I) disallowed costs that were recovered by 
management through collection, offset, property in 
lieu of cash, or otherwise; 
‘‘(II) disallowed costs that were written off by 
management; 
‘‘(III) disallowed costs and funds to be put 
to better use not yet recovered or written off by 
management; 
‘‘(IV) recommendations that were completed; 
and 
‘‘(V) recommendations that management has 
subsequently concluded should not or could not 
be implemented or completed; and 
‘‘(iii) total number of reports where final action 
was not taken and total number of reports where final 
action was taken, including the total corresponding 
dollar value of disallowed costs and funds to be put 
to better use as agreed to in the management 
decisions;’’; 
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph 
(3); 
(iii) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘subsection (a)(20)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (a)(14)(A)’’; and 
(iv) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(4) a statement explaining why final action has not been 
taken with respect to each audit, inspection, and evaluation 
report in which a management decision has been made but 
final action has not yet been taken, except that such state-
ment— 
‘‘(A) may exclude reports if— 
‘‘(i) a management decision was made within the 
preceding year; or
H. R. 7776—850 
‘‘(ii) the report is under formal administrative or 
judicial appeal or management of the establishment 
has agreed to pursue a legislative solution; and 
‘‘(B) shall identify the number of reports in each cat-
egory so excluded.’’; 
(C) by redesignating subsection (h), as so redesignated 
by section 5625 of this title, as subsection (i); and 
(D) by inserting after subsection (g), as so redesignated 
by section 5625 of this title, the following: 
‘‘(h) If an Office has published any portion of the report or 
information required under subsection (a) to the website of the 
Office or on oversight.gov, the Office may elect to provide links 
to the relevant webpage or website in the report of the Office 
under subsection (a) in lieu of including the information in that 
report.’’. 
SEC. 5274. SUBMISSION OF REPORTS THAT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY 
NON-GOVERNMENTAL 
ORGANIZATIONS 
OR 
BUSINESS 
ENTITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5(g) of the Inspector General Act 
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), as so redesignated by section 5625 of 
this title, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if an audit, 
evaluation, inspection, or other non-investigative report pre-
pared by an Inspector General specifically identifies a specific 
non-governmental organization or business entity, whether or 
not the non-governmental organization or business entity is 
the subject of that audit, evaluation, inspection, or non-inves-
tigative report— 
‘‘(i) the Inspector General shall notify the non-govern-
mental organization or business entity; 
‘‘(ii) the non-governmental organization or business 
entity shall have— 
‘‘(I) 30 days to review the audit, evaluation, inspec-
tion, or non-investigative report beginning on the date 
of publication of the audit, evaluation, inspection, or 
non-investigative report; and 
‘‘(II) the opportunity to submit a written response 
for the purpose of clarifying or providing additional 
context as it directly relates to each instance wherein 
an audit, evaluation, inspection, or non-investigative 
report specifically identifies that non-governmental 
organization or business entity; and 
‘‘(iii) if a written response is submitted under clause 
(ii)(II) within the 30-day period described in clause (ii)(I)— 
‘‘(I) the written response shall be attached to the 
audit, evaluation, inspection, or non-investigative 
report; and 
‘‘(II) in every instance where the report may appear 
on the public-facing website of the Inspector General, 
the website shall be updated in order to access a 
version of the audit, evaluation, inspection, or non- 
investigative report that includes the written response. 
‘‘(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to a 
non-governmental organization or business entity that refused 
to provide information or assistance sought by an Inspector
H. R. 7776—851 
General during the creation of the audit, evaluation, inspection, 
or non-investigative report. 
‘‘(C) An Inspector General shall review any written 
response received under subparagraph (A) for the purpose of 
preventing the improper disclosure of classified information 
or other non-public information, consistent with applicable laws, 
rules, and regulations, and, if necessary, redact such informa-
tion.’’. 
(b) RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY.—During the 30-day period 
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act— 
(1) the amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply 
upon the request of a non-governmental organization or busi-
ness entity named in an audit, evaluation, inspection, or other 
non-investigative report prepared on or after January 1, 2019; 
and 
(2) any written response submitted under clause (iii) of 
section 5(g)(6)(A) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App.), as added by subsection (a), with respect to such an 
audit, evaluation, inspection, or other non-investigative report 
shall attach to the original report in the manner described 
in that clause. 
SEC. 5275. REVIEW RELATING TO VETTING, PROCESSING, AND 
RESETTLEMENT OF EVACUEES FROM AFGHANISTAN AND 
THE AFGHANISTAN SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the Inspector General 
Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), the Inspector General of the Department 
of Homeland Security, jointly with the Inspector General of the 
Department of State, and in coordination with the Inspector General 
of the Department of Defense and any appropriate Inspector Gen-
eral established by that Act or section 103H of the National Security 
Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3033), shall conduct a thorough review 
of efforts to support and process evacuees from Afghanistan and 
the Afghanistan special immigrant visa program. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The review required by subsection (a) shall 
include an assessment of the systems, staffing, policies, and pro-
grams used— 
(1) to screen and vet such evacuees, including— 
(A) an assessment of whether personnel conducting 
such screening and vetting were appropriately authorized 
and provided with training, including training in the detec-
tion of fraudulent personal identification documents; 
(B) an analysis of the degree to which such screening 
and vetting deviated from United States law, regulations, 
policy, and best practices relating to the screening and 
vetting of parolees, refugees, and applicants for United 
States visas that have been in use at any time since 
January 1, 2016, particularly for individuals from countries 
containing any active terrorist organizations; and 
(C) an identification of any risk to the national security 
of the United States posed by any such deviations; 
(D) an analysis of the processes used for evacuees 
traveling without personal identification records, including 
the creation or provision of any new identification records 
to such evacuees; and 
(E) an analysis of the degree to which such screening 
and vetting process was capable of detecting—
H. R. 7776—852 
(i) instances of human trafficking and domestic 
abuse; 
(ii) evacuees who are unaccompanied minors; and 
(iii) evacuees with a spouse who is a minor; 
(2) to admit and process such evacuees at United States 
ports of entry; 
(3) to temporarily house such evacuees prior to resettle-
ment; 
(4) to account for the total number of individuals evacuated 
from Afghanistan in 2021 with support of the United States 
Government, disaggregated by— 
(A) country of origin; 
(B) citizenship, only if different from country of origin; 
(C) age; 
(D) gender; 
(E) the number of individuals who were holders of 
a special immigrant visa issued pursuant to the Afghan 
Allies Protection Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public 
Law 111–8) or section 1059 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (8 U.S.C. 1101 
note; Public Law 109–163) at the time of evacuation; 
(F) the number of individuals who were applicants 
for a special immigrant visas pursuant to the Afghan Allies 
Protection Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public Law 
111–8) or section 1059 of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (8 U.S.C. 1101 note; Public 
Law 109–163) at the time of evacuation; 
(G) the number who were in possession of a valid 
nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States at the time 
of evacuation; and 
(H) familial relationship to individuals described in 
subparagraphs (E) through (G). 
(c) INTERIM REPORTING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the 
Department of Homeland Security and the Inspector General 
of the Department of State shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees not fewer than one interim report 
on the review conducted under this section. 
(2) FORM.—Any report submitted under paragraph (1) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
annex. 
(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES.—The 
term ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means— 
(i) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select 
Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on the 
Judiciary of the Senate; and 
(ii) the Committee on Oversight and Reform, the 
Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on For-
eign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intel-
ligence, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
House of Representatives.
H. R. 7776—853 
(B) SCREEN; SCREENING.—The terms ‘‘screen’’ and 
‘‘screening’’, with respect to an evacuee, mean the process 
by which a Federal official determines— 
(i) the identity of the evacuee; 
(ii) whether the evacuee has a valid identification 
documentation; and 
(iii) whether any database of the United States 
Government contains derogatory information about the 
evacuee. 
(C) VET; VETTING.—The term ‘‘vet’’ and ‘‘vetting’’, with 
respect to an evacuee, means the process by which a Fed-
eral official interviews the evacuee to determine whether 
the evacuee is who they purport to be, including whether 
the evacuee poses a national security risk. 
(d) DISCHARGE OF RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Inspector General 
of the Department of Homeland Security and the Inspector General 
of the Department of State shall discharge the responsibilities under 
this section in a manner consistent with the authorities and require-
ments of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) and 
the authorities and requirements applicable to the Inspector Gen-
eral of the Department of Homeland Security and the Inspector 
General of the Department of State under that Act. 
(e) COORDINATION.—Upon request of an Inspector General for 
information or assistance under subsection (a), the head of any 
Federal agency involved shall, insofar as is practicable and not 
in contravention of any existing statutory restriction or regulation 
of the Federal agency from which the information is requested, 
furnish to such Inspector General, or to an authorized designee, 
such information or assistance. 
(f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit the ability of the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security or the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of State to enter into agreements to conduct joint audits, 
inspections, or investigations in the exercise of the oversight respon-
sibilities of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland 
Security and the Inspector General of the Department of State, 
in accordance with the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App.), with respect to oversight of the evacuation from Afghanistan, 
the selection, vetting, and processing of applicants for special 
immigrant visas and asylum, and any resettlement in the United 
States of such evacuees. 
TITLE LIII—OVERSIGHT AND REFORM 
MATTERS 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
Sec. 5301. Access for Veterans to Records. 
Sec. 5302. ONDCP supplemental strategies. 
Sec. 5303. Performance Enhancement. 
Sec. 5304. Appeals to merit systems protection board relating to FBI reprisal alle-
gations; salary of Special Counsel. 
Sec. 5305. Fairness for Federal firefighters. 
Subtitle B—PLUM Act of 2022 
Sec. 5321. Short title. 
Sec. 5322. Establishment of public website on government policy and supporting 
positions.
H. R. 7776—854 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
SEC. 5301. ACCESS FOR VETERANS TO RECORDS. 
(a) PLAN TO ELIMINATE RECORDS BACKLOG AT THE NATIONAL 
PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER.— 
(1) PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Archivist of the United States 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
comprehensive plan for reducing the backlog of requests for 
records from the National Personnel Records Center and 
improving the efficiency and responsiveness of operations at 
the National Personnel Records Center, that includes, at a 
minimum, the following: 
(A) An estimate of the number of backlogged record 
requests for veterans. 
(B) Target timeframes to reduce the backlog. 
(C) A detailed plan for using existing funds to improve 
the information technology infrastructure, including secure 
access to appropriate agency Federal records, to prevent 
future backlogs. 
(D) Actions to improve customer service for requesters. 
(E) Measurable goals with respect to the comprehen-
sive plan and metrics for tracking progress toward such 
goals. 
(F) Strategies to prevent future record request back-
logs, including backlogs caused by an event that prevents 
employees of the Center from reporting to work in person. 
(2) UPDATES.—Not later than 90 days after the date on 
which the comprehensive plan is submitted under paragraph 
(1), and biannually thereafter until the response rate by the 
National Personnel Records Center reaches 90 percent of all 
requests in 20 days or less, not including any request involving 
a record damaged or lost in the National Personnel Records 
Center fire of 1973 or any request that is subject to a fee 
that has not been paid in a timely manner by the requestor 
(provided the National Personnel Records Center issues an 
invoice within 20 days after the date on which the request 
is made), the Archivist of the United States shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees an update of such 
plan that— 
(A) describes progress made by the National Personnel 
Records Center during the preceding 90-day period with 
respect to record request backlog reduction and efficiency 
and responsiveness improvement; 
(B) provides data on progress made toward the goals 
identified in the comprehensive plan; and 
(C) describes any changes made to the comprehensive 
plan. 
(3) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—In carrying out para-
graphs (1) and (2), the Archivist of the United States shall 
consult with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
(4) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.— 
In this subsection, the term ‘‘appropriate congressional commit-
tees’’ means—