I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 280 
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recoup bonuses and awards 
paid to employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 12, 2015 
Mr. MILLER of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recoup 
bonuses and awards paid to employees of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO RECOUP BONUSES OR AWARDS 
PAID TO EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
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‘‘§ 715. Recoupment of bonuses or awards paid to em-
ployees of Department 
‘‘(a) RECOUPMENT.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law, the Secretary may issue an order directing 
an employee of the Department to repay the amount, or 
a portion of the amount, of any award or bonus paid to 
the employee under title 5, including under chapters 45 
or 53 of such title, or this title if— 
‘‘(1) the Secretary determines such repayment 
appropriate pursuant to regulations prescribed by 
the Secretary to carry out this section; and 
‘‘(2) before a repayment, the employee is af-
forded notice and an opportunity for a hearing con-
ducted by the Secretary. 
‘‘(b) REVIEW.—The decision of the Secretary regard-
ing a repayment by an employee pursuant to subsection 
(a) is final and may not be reviewed by any other agency 
or any court.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘715. Recoupment of bonuses or awards paid to employees of Department.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 715 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall 
apply with respect to an award or bonus paid by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to an employee of the Depart-
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ment of Veterans Affairs before, on, or after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
(d) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act or the 
amendments made by this Act may be construed to modify 
the certification issued by the Office of Personnel Manage-
ment and the Office of Management and Budget regarding 
the performance appraisal system of the Senior Executive 
Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Æ 
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