VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-611
Sponsor: Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Employee performance
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Merit Systems Protection Board
Office of Special Counsel
Transportation costs
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 

VA Accountability
 
First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct. The VA may remove such individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate. 
 
 A demoted individual shall not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave during the appeals period and can receive pay only if he or she reports for duty.
 
The bill: (1) establishes an expedited appeals process by the Merit Systems Protection Board, (2) amends the disability benefits appeals process, (3) prescribes restrictions on the VA's authority to remove or demote an employee, and (4) establishes whistleblower protections. 
 
 The VA shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance while employed in such position.
 
The VA may reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken. 
 
 The VA may recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee under specified circumstances.
 
 The VA may suspend, reprimand or admonish an SES employee for misconduct or performance that does not merit removal. Appeals may be made to the Senior Executive Disciplinary Appeals Board (as provided for by this bill). 
 
The bill amends the disability benefits appeals process.
 
 The bill prohibits payment of an award or bonus to any SES employee during each of FY2017-FY2021.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 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 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 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 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 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 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in House