[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1068 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1068
To amend title 5 and title 38, United States Code, to put veteran and
military families first and to provide protections for employees,
benefits, and programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 13, 2025
Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs.
Gillibrand, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Rosen, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr.
Schiff, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Kelly,
Mr. Booker, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Hickenlooper,
Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 5 and title 38, United States Code, to put veteran and
military families first and to provide protections for employees,
benefits, and programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Putting Veterans
First Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--PUTTING VETERAN AND MILITARY FAMILIES FIRST
Sec. 101. Reinstatement of members of the military community who were
Federal employees.
Sec. 102. Protection for members of the military community who were
Federal employees.
Sec. 103. Report on members of the military community in the civil
service.
Sec. 104. Comptroller General report on military community employment.
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES
Subtitle A--Protections
Sec. 201. Limitations on hiring freezes at Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 202. Limitations on closing offices at Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 203. Limitations on changes to telework and remote work at
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 204. Limitations on changes to final job offers at Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Subtitle B--Reporting
Sec. 205. Notice and justification required before reduction in force
at Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 206. Department of Veterans Affairs personnel reporting.
Sec. 207. Department of Veterans Affairs research personnel reporting.
Sec. 208. Prohibition on individuals serving as Secretary of Veterans
Affairs from also serving as heads of other
Federal agencies.
Sec. 209. Office of Special Counsel.
Sec. 210. Office of Government Ethics.
Subtitle C--Restoring Accountability and Services
Sec. 211. Report on effects of removing essential programs, offices,
and services from Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 212. Restoring Department of Veterans Affairs programs, offices,
and services affected since the beginning
of the second Trump Administration.
TITLE III--PROTECTIONS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
Sec. 301. Nominations to Merit Systems Protection Board.
Sec. 302. Modifications to appeal rights for probationary employees.
Sec. 303. Authority to retract offers and contracts relating to
deferred resignations.
Sec. 304. Limitation on changes to competitive service categories of
positions.
TITLE IV--MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
Sec. 401. Mental health services.
Sec. 402. Mental health services for current civil servants.
TITLE V--EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
Sec. 501. Employment assistance.
Sec. 502. Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Labor
work on employment opportunities for
members of the military community.
TITLE VI--DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
Sec. 601. Limitation on access to veteran and department information,
systems, and data.
Sec. 602. Limitation on application of certain Executive Orders
relating to Department of Government
Efficiency at Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 603. Report on compliance with limitation on access to veteran and
Department of Veterans Affairs information,
systems, and data and Inspector General
review.
TITLE VII--FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Sec. 701. Definition; rule of construction.
Sec. 702. Report on financial effect of the Department of Government
Efficiency on the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 703. Reinstatement of contracts and review of mass contract
cancellations.
Sec. 704. Limitations on mass contract cancellations.
Sec. 705. Charge card program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
TITLE VIII--REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 801. Requirement for Veterans Benefits Administration Monday
Morning Workload Report.
Sec. 802. Improvements regarding periodic publication of metrics
relating to processing of appeals.
Sec. 803. Publication of wait times for community care from Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 804. Period for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to respond to
questions submitted by members of certain
congressional committees.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given that
term in section 3330d of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Caregiver.--The term ``caregiver'' means an adult
family member or other individual who has a significant
relationship with, and who provides a broad range of assistance
to, a wounded, ill, injured, or disabled member of the Armed
Forces or veteran or a dependent of such a member or veteran
with a chronic or other health condition, disability, or
functional limitation.
(3) Civil service.--The term ``civil service'' has the
meaning given that term in section 2101 of title 5, United
States Code.
(4) Demotion.--The term ``demotion'' means a reduction in
grade (as defined in section 7511(a) of title 5, United States
Code).
(5) Member of the armed forces.--The term ``member of the
armed forces'' has the meaning given that term in 315.612(b)(4)
of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
thereto.
(6) Military spouse.--The term ``military spouse'' means--
(A) the husband or wife of a member of the armed
forces;
(B) the husband or wife of a retired, totally
disabled, or separated member of the armed forces; or
(C) the widow or widower of a member of the armed
forces killed while performing active duty or who died
from a service-connected injury or illness.
(7) Removal.--The term ``removal'' means removing an
individual from the civil service.
(8) Reserve component.--The term ``reserve component'' has
the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United
States Code.
(9) Suspension.--The term ``suspension'' means the placing
an individual in a temporary status without duties and pay for
a period of longer than 7 days.
(10) Survivor.--The term ``survivor'' means a family member
of a member of the armed forces or veteran who died while on
active duty or after military retirement or of a service-
connected injury or illness.
(11) Veteran.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), the term ``veteran'' means a person who served on
active duty as a member of the armed forces, regardless
of length of service, and who was discharged or
released therefrom.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``veteran'' does not
include a person who--
(i) received a dishonorable discharge from
the Armed Forces; or
(ii) was discharged or dismissed from the
Armed Forces by reason of the sentence of a
general court-martial.
TITLE I--PUTTING VETERAN AND MILITARY FAMILIES FIRST
SEC. 101. REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY COMMUNITY WHO WERE
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.
(a) In General.--Any removal, demotion, or suspension of a veteran,
military spouse, caregiver, survivor, or member of a reserve component
who was serving in a position in the civil service that occurred during
the period beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on the date of
enactment of this Act shall have no force or effect.
(b) Back Pay and Resumption of Benefits.--Any person whose removal,
demotion, or suspension is rendered without force or effect under
subsection (a) shall--
(1) receive back pay for any pay not received by the person
during the period beginning on the date of the removal,
suspension, or demotion and ending on the date of enactment of
this Act; and
(2) have benefits restored, retroactive to the date of the
removal, demotion, or suspension.
(c) Election To Resign.--At the election of a person whose removal,
demotion, or suspension is rendered without force or effect under
subsection (a), at any time after the date of enactment of this Act,
the person may resign from the position of the person in the civil
service, which shall not affect the obligation to provide back pay or
the resumption of benefits with respect to the period beginning on the
date of the removal, demotion, or suspension and ending on the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 102. PROTECTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY COMMUNITY WHO WERE
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.
(a) In General.--Any veteran, military spouse, caregiver, survivor,
or member of a reserve component who is in a position in the civil
service may not be removed, demoted, or suspended--
(1) as a part of a group of more than 5 persons who are
being removed, demoted, or suspended on the same day by the
agency employing the persons;
(2) without providing a notification to the direct
supervisor of the veteran, military spouse, caregiver,
survivor, or member of a reserve component not less than 10
business days before the removal, demotion, or suspension,
unless the supervisor advises or approves the removal,
demotion, or suspension;
(3) on the basis of performance, unless the veteran,
military spouse, caregiver, survivor, or member of a reserve
component has received at least 1 performance rating at or
below level 2 or minimally satisfactory (or a similar
equivalent level) during the 1-year period ending on the date
of the removal, demotion, or suspension; or
(4) if the removal, demotion, or suspension would result in
a greater than 50 percent vacancy rate for the office or
position of the veteran, military spouse, caregiver, survivor,
or member of a reserve component or a significant reduction or
elimination of the duties being carried out by the veteran,
military spouse, caregiver, survivor, or member of a reserve
component, without approval by the direct supervisor of the
veteran, military spouse, caregiver, survivor, or member of a
reserve component.
(b) Review.--Not later than 10 days after the date of the removal,
demotion, or suspension of any veteran, military spouse, caregiver,
survivor, or member of a reserve component in a position the civil
service, the removal, demotion, or suspension shall be referred to the
Merit Systems Protection Board or the Office of Special Counsel, unless
the individual agrees to waive the right to such a referral.
SEC. 103. REPORT ON MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY COMMUNITY IN THE CIVIL
SERVICE.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and
not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter,
each agency shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the
Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on Armed
Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives the following
information:
(1) The number of veterans, military spouses, caregivers,
survivors, and members of a reserve component who, during the
prior fiscal year--
(A) were hired by the agency, disaggregated by
those who were serving at a different agency
immediately before being hired by the agency and those
hired from outside the Federal Government;
(B) separated from service with the agency,
disaggregated by those who were hired by another agency
and those who were not hired by another agency; or
(C) were removed by the agency.
(2) The number of veterans, military spouses, caregivers,
survivors, and members of a reserve component who, as of the
end of the prior fiscal year, were employed by the agency.
(3) Data regarding any directed efforts or incentives
utilized to recruit or retain veterans, military spouses,
caregivers, survivors, and members of a reserve component
during the prior fiscal year.
(4) For the second report under this section, and each
report thereafter, data on changes to the number of veterans,
military spouses, caregivers, survivors, or members of a
reserve component hired by, separated from, or were employed by
the agency, as compared to the most recent report.
SEC. 104. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON MILITARY COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT.
Not later than April 1, 2027, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the
Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on
Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and publicly issue a
report regarding employment of military community members by the
Federal Government, which shall--
(1) include a review of employment of veterans, military
spouses, caregivers, survivors, and members of a reserve
component by the Federal Government during fiscal years 2024
and 2025;
(2) review the period of service in positions in the civil
service by veterans, military spouses, caregivers, survivors,
and members of a reserve component and the rate of removal,
suspension, or demotion of veterans, military spouses,
caregivers, survivors, and members of a reserve component from
positions in the civil service, as compared to other
individuals in positions in the civil service; and
(3) describe any changes in employment of veterans,
military spouses, caregivers, survivors, and members of a
reserve component across agencies between the end of fiscal
year 2024 and the end of fiscal year 2025.
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES
Subtitle A--Protections
SEC. 201. LIMITATIONS ON HIRING FREEZES AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Limitation.--Neither a position nor an employee at the
Department of Veterans Affairs may be subject to a hiring freeze,
hiring prohibition, or similar policy--
(1) unless the Secretary determines that unfilled positions
or lack of staff subject to such a freeze will not result in
increased costs to the Department; and
(2) until the date that is 90 days after the date that the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits a report regarding the
hiring freeze pursuant to subsection (b).
(b) Report.--Before issuing any hiring freeze, hiring prohibition,
or similar policy, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the
hiring strategy of the Secretary and budgetary proof that such a
freeze, hiring prohibition, or similar policy will not cause increased
costs to the Department.
SEC. 202. LIMITATIONS ON CLOSING OFFICES AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Prohibition.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not remove,
close, or realign any office or program of the Department of Veterans
Affairs except pursuant to a provision of law that specifically
authorizes such removal, closure, or realignment.
(b) Notification Required.--Whenever the Secretary removes, closes,
or realigns an office or program of the Department, the Secretary
shall, not later than 1 year before the date on which the Secretary
commences such removal, closure, or realignment, submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives notice of the intent
of the Secretary to carry out such removal, closure, or realignment.
(c) Assistance for Displaced Employees.--In any case in which an
employee of the Department is displaced by the removal, closure, or
realignment of an office or program of the Department, the Secretary
shall make a significant effort to find another employment opportunity
for the employee within the Department.
SEC. 203. LIMITATIONS ON CHANGES TO TELEWORK AND REMOTE WORK AT
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Notice Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not
take any action to change to a telework or remote work policy of the
Department of Veterans Affairs until after the date that is 1 year
after the date on which the Secretary--
(1) submits to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives notice of the intent of the Secretary to take
such action or make such change; and
(2) transmits notice of such intent to the following:
(A) Labor organizations that represent employees of
the Department.
(B) The employees of the Department who would be
affected by such action or change.
(b) Enforcement.--A violation of subsection (a) against an employee
of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be treated, under section
505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794a), as a violation
of section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791)
against an aggrieved employee described in subsection (a) of that
section.
SEC. 204. LIMITATIONS ON CHANGES TO FINAL JOB OFFERS AT DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Limitations.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not rescind
or make any change to a final offer of employment with the Department
of Veterans Affairs for any reason that is not directly related to an
action or quality of the individual to whom the offer of employment was
extended.
(b) Remedies.--A rescission or change made in violation of
subsection (a) may be appealed to the Merit Systems Protection Board in
accordance with the procedures under section 7701 of title 5, United
States Code.
Subtitle B--Reporting
SEC. 205. NOTICE AND JUSTIFICATION REQUIRED BEFORE REDUCTION IN FORCE
AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days before commencing any
effort to carry out a reduction in force, or similar action under a
different name, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall submit a justification for the reduction in
force or similar action to the following:
(1) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate.
(2) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(3) The labor organizations that represent employees of the
Department.
(4) Each employee of the Department who will be affected by
the reduction in force or similar action.
(b) Contents.--Each justification submitted pursuant to subsection
(a) for a reduction in force or similar action shall include the
following:
(1) For each employee or position that will be terminated
pursuant to the reduction in force or similar action, the
following:
(A) Documentation and analysis used to determine
that the termination will not reduce or negatively
affect delivery of care or benefits for veterans.
(B) Documentation and analysis used to determine
that the termination will not cost the Department or
the Federal Government more than if the Department were
to retain the position or employee.
(C) Cost estimate, strategic plan, analysis, and
any other relevant information or documentation the
Secretary used to determine the need to terminate the
employee or position.
(2) The planned timeline for the reduction in force or
similar action and the methodology the Secretary will use to
track the actual effects of the reduction in force or similar
action.
(3) Options for changing the plans of the Secretary and a
strategy should an unexpected negative impact to veterans occur
from the planned actions.
SEC. 206. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PERSONNEL REPORTING.
(a) In General.--Section 505 of the John S. McCain III, Daniel K.
Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and
Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-
182; 38 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter before subparagraph (A),
by striking ``information,'' and all that
follows through ``facility:'' and inserting
``information:'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by inserting ``(i)'' before
``The number''; and
(II) by adding at the end the
following new clause:
``(ii) Information made available under this
subparagraph shall be updated not less frequently than
once each quarter to account for delays in data
processing and shall reflect the most recently
available data.'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``vacancies, by occupation.'' and inserting
``positions currently undergoing a recruitment
action, disaggregated by occupation and by
stage of recruitment, including Manager Request
Initiation Stage, recruitment stage, onboarding
stage, and waiting to start stage, or successor
stages if modified.'';
(iv) in subparagraph (E)(iii), by striking
``potential hires or''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(F) The number of positions vacated during the
quarter for which the Department has not initiated a
recruitment action, including the date the position was
vacated, disaggregated by occupation.'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
(6);
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following
new paragraph (5):
``(5) Display of information.--The display of information
made publicly available on an internet website of the
Department pursuant to paragraph (1), shall be disaggregated--
``(A) by departmental component;
``(B) in the case of information relating to
Veterans Health Administration positions, by medical
facility; and
``(C) in the case of information relating to
Veterans Benefits Administration positions, by regional
office.''; and
(D) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B), by striking ``shall'' and all that
follows and inserting ``shall--
``(A) review the administration of the website
required under paragraph (1);
``(B) develop recommendations relating to the
improvement of such administration; and
``(C) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the House of Representatives a report containing--
``(i) the findings of the Inspector General
with respect to the most recent review
conducted under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) the recommendations most recently
developed under subparagraph (B).''; and
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Annual Report.--Each year, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress an annual report that includes the following:
``(1) A description of the steps the Department is taking
to achieve full staffing capacity.
``(2) A description of the actions the Department is taking
to improve the onboard timeline for facilities of the
Department, including--
``(A) in the case of facilities of the Veterans
Health Administration, for facilities for which the
duration of the onboarding process exceeds the metrics
laid out in the Time to Hire Model of the Veterans
Health Administration, or successor model; and
``(B) in the case of the Veterans Benefits
Administration, for regional offices that exceed the
time-to-hire target of the Office of Personnel
Management.
``(3) The amount of additional funds necessary to enable
the Department to reach full staffing capacity.
``(4) Such recommendations for legislative or
administrative action as the Secretary may have in order to
achieve full staffing capacity at the Department.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply
with respect to the first update under section 505(a)(3) of such Act
beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act and each update
thereafter.
SEC. 207. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RESEARCH PERSONNEL REPORTING.
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report
that includes--
(1) the number of Department of Veterans Affairs research
employees who were terminated from the Department since January
20, 2025;
(2) the number of Department research employees who had
their term limits shortened since January 20, 2025; and
(3) a list of the research studies the employees described
in paragraphs (1) and (2) were working on.
SEC. 208. PROHIBITION ON INDIVIDUALS SERVING AS SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS FROM ALSO SERVING AS HEADS OF OTHER FEDERAL
AGENCIES.
(a) In General.--Section 303 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking ``There is'' and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--There is''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(b) Prohibition.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, including any provision of subchapter III of chapter 33 of
title 5, an individual who is serving as the Secretary,
regardless of whether such service is pursuant to an
appointment made by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate or such service is in an acting capacity, may not serve
as the head of any other Executive agency, either pursuant to
an appointment made by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate or in an acting capacity, while serving as the
Secretary.
``(2) Effect of noncompliance.--
``(A) Removal from office.--An individual serving
as the Secretary who is not in compliance with
subsection (a) is hereby removed from the position of
Secretary.
``(B) Prohibition on certain actions.--An
individual removed from the position of Secretary by
subparagraph (A) may not issue orders, guidance, direct
any people or resources, or in any other manner carry
out any of the functions of the Secretary.
``(C) Treatment of orders, guidance, and
direction.--Any order, guidance, or direction of people
or resources or any other leadership action issued by
an individual who was removed from the position of
Secretary by subparagraph (A) and that was issued on or
after the date of such removal shall be considered
unlawful.
``(c) Definition of Executive Agency.--In this section, the term
`Executive agency' has the meaning given such term in section 105 of
title 5 and includes the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of
Special Counsel, but does not include any advisory committee (as such
term is defined in section 1001 of title 5).''.
(b) Effective Date.--Subsections (b) and (c) of section 303 of such
title, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that
is 7 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date
specified in subsection (b), the most senior career individual
in the Office of the General Counsel of the Department of
Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the House of Representatives a report on compliance with the
provisions of this Act.
(2) Contents.--The report submitted pursuant to paragraph
(1) shall include the following:
(A) Documentation as to whether the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs is in compliance with section 303(b)
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a).
(B) A description of the procedures in effect to
reestablish firewalls, conflict of interest
protections, and independence requirements at the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
(C) An affirmation that the Department of Veterans
Affairs will comply with and respect the independent
oversight and investigative power of the Office of
Special Counsel, the Office of Government Ethics, the
Merit Systems Protection Board, the Government
Accountability Office, the Office of Inspector General
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal
Labor Relations Board, and all other relevant
investigatory and audit bodies.
SEC. 209. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL.
Section 1211(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
striking the sixth sentence and inserting the following: ``The Special
Counsel, including any individual serving as the Special Counsel in an
acting capacity, may not hold another office or position in the
Government of the United States while serving as the Special Counsel.
Notwithstanding any provision of subchapter III of chapter 33, if the
Special Counsel dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable to perform the
functions and duties of the office, the most senior career attorney
serving in the Office of General Counsel of the Office of Special
Counsel, as of the date of the death, resignation, or beginning of
inability to serve, shall serve as the Special Counsel until an
individual is appointed by the President as the Special Counsel in
accordance with this subsection.''.
SEC. 210. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS.
Section 13121(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``There shall'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--There shall''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Removal or transfer.--The Director may only be
removed from office by the President for inefficiency, neglect
of duty, or malfeasance in office.
``(3) Restriction on holding other offices.--The Director,
including any individual serving as the Director in an acting
capacity, may not hold another office or position in the
Government of the United States while serving as the Director.
``(4) Absence or unavailability of director.--
Notwithstanding any provision of subchapter III of chapter 33,
if the Director dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable to
perform the function and duties of the office, the most senior
career individual serving in the office of the Chief of Staff
of the Office of Government Ethics, as of the date of the
death, resignation, or beginning of inability to serve, shall
serve as the Director until an individual is appointed by the
President as the Director in accordance with this
subsection.''.
Subtitle C--Restoring Accountability and Services
SEC. 211. REPORT ON EFFECTS OF REMOVING ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS, OFFICES,
AND SERVICES FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report
on the effects of removing essential programs, offices, and services
from the Department of Veterans Affairs during the period beginning on
January 20, 2025, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted pursuant to subsection (a)
shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
(1) A description of all offices or programs either
reorganized, renamed, shut down, or reduced.
(2) Position titles of individuals either terminated or
placed on leave, disaggregated by which office they were housed
in.
(3) A list of all websites, pamphlets, fliers, reports,
photographs, or other public-facing documents removed.
(4) A detailed description of how accessibility of
Department facilities and websites has been affected, for both
veterans and Department employees.
(5) A list of any Department research projects cancelled or
postponed.
(6) A list of all Department employee-facing documents or
trainings removed from intranet sites.
(7) A list of all events cancelled or postponed by the
Department.
(8) For each of paragraphs (1) through (7), a justification
for why each action was taken.
SEC. 212. RESTORING DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROGRAMS, OFFICES,
AND SERVICES AFFECTED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Restoring Department of Veterans Affairs.--
(1) In general.--Any removal, demotion, or suspension of a
Department of Veterans Affairs employee during the period
beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on the date of the
enactment of this Act shall be considered null and void.
(2) Backpay and resumption of benefits.--A person subject
to a removal, demotion, or suspension described in paragraph
(1) shall be eligible for backpay and resumption of benefits.
(3) Resignations.--A person described in paragraph (2) who
does not wish to be restored to a position from which the
person was removed, demoted, or suspended as described in
paragraph (1) may resign from the position as they so choose.
(b) Publication of Certain Materials and Websites.--The Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall commence publishing all materials and
websites described in section 211(b).
(c) Nullification of Cancellation or Postponement of Certain
Research Projects.--The cancellation or postponement of any research
projects during the period beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on
the date of the enactment of this Act shall be considered null and
void.
(d) Withdrawal of Certain Directive Relating to Flags.--The
Secretary shall withdraw the February 12, 2025 directive of the
Secretary entitled ``Public Display or Depiction of Flags throughout
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Facilities''.
TITLE III--PROTECTIONS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
SEC. 301. NOMINATIONS TO MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD.
Subchapter I of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended in section 1202, by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Not later than 30 days after the date on which a vacancy on
the Merit Systems Protection Board occurs (whether before or at the end
of a term of office of a member), the President shall appoint an
individual to fill that vacancy.''.
SEC. 302. MODIFICATIONS TO APPEAL RIGHTS FOR PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES.
Section 7701(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended, in the
matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``(including,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, an employee who is in a
probationary period)''.
SEC. 303. AUTHORITY TO RETRACT OFFERS AND CONTRACTS RELATING TO
DEFERRED RESIGNATIONS.
(a) Authority.--Any offer or contract relating to deferred
resignation commitment accepted or entered into by an employee in a
position in the civil service may be nullified by the employee (without
penalty) at any time until the close of business on the last day of the
employment of the employee by the agency employing the employee.
(b) Remedy.--A violation of subsection (a) may be appealed to the
Merit Systems Protection Board in accordance with the procedures under
section 7701 of title 5, United States Code, or challenged in a court
of competent jurisdiction.
SEC. 304. LIMITATION ON CHANGES TO COMPETITIVE SERVICE CATEGORIES OF
POSITIONS.
(a) Limitation.--A position in the civil service may not be
shifted, realigned, or removed from a competitive service category to
an excepted service category--
(1) unless--
(A) the employee who current fills the position
agrees to such a shift; or
(B) the position is vacant; or
(2) until the date that is 2 years after the date on which
the head of the agency employing the employee has given notice
to the employee and submitted to Congress notice of such a
shift, realignment, or removal.
(b) Remedy.--A violation of subsection (a) may be appealed to the
Merit Systems Protection Board in accordance with the procedures under
section 7701 of title 5, United States Code, or reviewed by a court of
competent jurisdiction.
TITLE IV--MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
SEC. 401. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
The agency that currently employs, or most recently employed, a
veteran, military spouse, caregiver, survivor, or member of a reserve
component serving in a position in the civil service who is removed,
demoted, or suspended on or after January 20, 2025, shall reimburse the
veteran, military spouse, caregiver, survivor, or member of a reserve
component for the cost of all mental health services provided during
the 90-day period beginning on the date of the removal, demotion, or
suspension.
SEC. 402. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CURRENT CIVIL SERVANTS.
(a) Vet Centers.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall deploy a
mobile Vet Center to the office of any agency that, on or after January
20, 2025, removes, suspends, or demotes a group of more than 5
veterans, military spouses, caregivers, survivors, or members of a
reserve component on any day, for use by any current or former
employees of the agency who are a veteran, military spouse, caregiver,
survivor, or member of a reserve component.
(b) Funding.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, until
February 1, 2030, an agency may not reduce the amount of funds spent,
contracts, staff, or programming related to mental health counseling
services, financial and legal services, dependent care services,
workplace conflict resolution services, cultural competency services,
substance use treatment services, crisis intervention services, or
employee assistance programs below the levels as of January 5, 2025.
TITLE V--EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
SEC. 501. EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.
The President shall order measures to provide employment assistance
and opportunities for veterans, military spouses, caregivers,
survivors, and members of a reserve component who are removed, demoted,
or suspended from civil service on or after January 20, 2025.
SEC. 502. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
WORK ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE
MILITARY COMMUNITY.
The Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the
Secretary of Labor shall--
(1) work with the heads of other agencies to expand and
facilitate the use of Federal programs, hiring and training
opportunities, and retention incentives for veterans, military
spouses, caregivers, survivors, and members of a reserve
component;
(2) seek to develop partnerships with firms in the private
sector to enhance employment opportunities for veterans,
military spouses, caregivers, survivors, and members of a
reserve component, including to provide for improved job
portability for such individuals;
(3) work with the United States Chamber of Commerce and
other appropriate private-sector entities to facilitate the
formation of such partnerships; and
(4) examine and seek ways for incorporating hiring
preferences for veterans, military spouses, caregivers,
survivors, and members of a reserve component into contracts
between an agency and 1 or more private sector entities.
TITLE VI--DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
SEC. 601. LIMITATION ON ACCESS TO VETERAN AND DEPARTMENT INFORMATION,
SYSTEMS, AND DATA.
(a) Limitations.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter III of chapter 57 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end of the
following new section:
``Sec. 5729. Limitations on access to certain information, systems, and
data
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may not allow any individual to
use, exercise administrative control over, or otherwise access any
Department information technology system, health or benefits data
repository, contracting information, financial system, record system,
or other relevant system, or any data from any such system, unless--
``(1) such individual is an officer, employee, or
contractor of the Department; and
``(2) in the case of an individual not described in
paragraph (1)--
``(A) such individual holds a security clearance at
the appropriate level with respect to such system or
data and such clearance was granted pursuant to the
procedures established under section 801 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3161);
``(B) such individual's access to such system or
data, or use thereof, does not constitute a violation
of section 208 of title 18 (determined after the
application of subsection (b));
``(C) such individual is not a special Government
employee (as defined in section 202 of title 18);
``(D) such individual's current continuous service
in the civil service (as that term is defined in
section 2101 of title 5) as of the date of such access
is for a period of not less than one year;
``(E) such individual has completed any required
training or compliance procedures with respect to
privacy laws, cybersecurity regulations, national
security regulations, and best practices; and
``(F) has signed a written ethics agreement with
either the senior career Designated Agency Ethics
Official of the Department, or the most senior career
official within the Office of Government Ethics.
``(b) Treatment of Individuals Who Are Not Officers or Employees of
Executive Branch of Federal Government.--(1) Any individual who
accesses any system or data described in subsection (a) who is not
otherwise an officer or employee of the executive branch of the Federal
Government shall be treated as an employee of the executive branch of
the United States Government for purposes of section 208 of title 18.
``(2) For purposes of such section 208, exercise of administrative
control or stopping, canceling, adjusting, holding, rejecting,
changing, or otherwise impacting any payment or data in any Department
system, data repository, or other similar location, shall be considered
personal and substantial participation as a Government officer or
employee in a particular matter.
``(c) Definition of Other Relevant System.--In this section, the
term `other relevant system' means any data, system, connection,
database, repository, or any other tangible thing of the Department
that stores information of the Department, veterans, surviving spouses,
caregivers, or other recipients of health care or benefits under laws
administered by the Secretary, including health data, personally
identifiable information, protected health information, burial data
information, contract data, the Corporate Data Warehouse of the
Department, data regarding benefits provided to veterans, financial
transaction and bank information, Department of Veterans Affairs
Integrated Enterprise Workflow Solution system and data, payroll
information, research and development data, and data that is part of
the Million Veteran Program.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 57 of such title is amended by inserting
after section 5728 the following new section:
``5729. Limitations on access to certain information, systems, and
data.''.
(b) Deletion of Improperly Obtained Data.--In any action brought
against the Department of Veterans Affairs or a recipient agency or
other recipient in a court of competent jurisdiction for a violation of
subsection (b) or (e) of section 552a of title 5, United States Code,
the court may order the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the recipient
agency, or other recipient to delete records improperly disclosed or
maintained in a system of records in violation of the rules and
regulations set out pursuant to such section.
(c) Removal of Connections.--Not later than 15 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
remove any information technology connection between the Department and
any entity not in compliance with the provisions of this section or
section 5729 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a).
SEC. 602. LIMITATION ON APPLICATION OF CERTAIN EXECUTIVE ORDERS
RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AT
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Executive Order 14158 (90 Fed. Reg. 8441; relating to establishing
and implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency),
Executive Order 14210 (90 Fed. Reg. 9669; relating to implementing the
President's ``Department of Government Efficiency'' workforce
optimization initiative), Executive Order 14219 (90 Fed. Reg. 10583;
relating to ensuring lawful governance and implementing the President's
``Department of Government Efficiency'' deregulatory initiative), and
Executive Order 14222 (90 Fed. Reg. 11095; relating to implementing the
President's ``Department of Government Efficiency'' cost efficiency
initiative) shall not apply as it relates to the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
SEC. 603. REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH LIMITATION ON ACCESS TO VETERAN AND
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS INFORMATION, SYSTEMS, AND
DATA AND INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW.
(a) Report on Compliance.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report
on the compliance of the Department of Veterans Affairs with the
provisions of this section and section 5729 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by section 601(a), including with respect to removal of
connections pursuant to section 601(c) and the removal of relevant
employees and their credentials from all Department systems, premises,
and networks consistent with the such sections.
(b) Inspector General Review.--
(1) Review.--Not later than 10 days of after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the
Department of Veterans Affairs shall initiate a review on any
instance of unauthorized use or other access of systems
described in section 5729(a) of title 38, United States Code,
as added by section 601(a), that has occurred during the period
beginning on November 6, 2024, and ending on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) Preliminary briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General shall
provide the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a preliminary briefing on the findings of the
Inspector General with respect to the review initiated pursuant
to paragraph (1).
(3) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General shall
submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a final report on--
(A) the findings of the Inspector General with
respect to the review initiated pursuant to paragraph
(1); and
(B) such recommendations for administrative or
legislative action as the Inspector General may have as
a result of such findings.
(4) Contents.--Each report submitted under this subsection
shall include the following:
(A) a detailed description of the unauthorized use
or access, including any actions the individual or
individuals carried out;
(B) a risk assessment of any threat to privacy,
contracting and financial information, protected
veteran health and disability information, national
security, cybersecurity, or the integrity of the
applicable system as a result of such unauthorized use
or access; and
(C) a detailed description of any stopped benefits,
health care delivery, or other services of the
Department of Veterans Affairs during the unauthorized
use or access.
TITLE VII--FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
SEC. 701. DEFINITION; RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a) Mass Contract Cancellation Defined.--In this title, the term
``mass contract cancellation'' means the termination by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs of--
(1) five or more contracts in a single business day; or
(2) ten or more contracts in a five-business-day period.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title shall be construed
to prevent the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from cancelling individual
contracts for poor performance, fraud, breach of contract, or other
reasons in accordance with applicable law, including the Federal
Acquisition Regulation.
SEC. 702. REPORT ON FINANCIAL EFFECT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT
EFFICIENCY ON THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Not less frequently than once each quarter until
September 30, 2029, the Secretary of Veteran Affairs shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing the estimated
costs associated with or attributed to policy changes prompted by the
Department of Government Efficiency or the President since January 20,
2025.
(b) Costs.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall account
for the following:
(1) The cancellation of any contracts and potential
litigation to resolve related matters.
(2) The wrongful termination of employees and any
settlements.
(3) The need to hire contracted providers or staff to
backfill vacant roles.
(4) Such other matters as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
considers appropriate.
(c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(1) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 703. REINSTATEMENT OF CONTRACTS AND REVIEW OF MASS CONTRACT
CANCELLATIONS.
(a) Reinstatement; Pause; Review.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs--
(A) shall reinstate each contract cancelled in a
mass contract cancellation during the period beginning
on January 20, 2025, and ending on the date of the
enactment of this Act;
(B) shall pause any mass contract cancellation in
progress as of the date of the enactment of this Act;
and
(C) shall not commence any mass contract
cancellation unless--
(i) each condition described in paragraph
(2) is met; and
(ii) the requirements of section 704 are
fulfilled.
(2) Conditions.--The conditions described in this paragraph
are the following:
(A) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has reviewed
all contracts cancelled or proposed to be cancelled
during the period beginning on January 20, 2025 and
ending on April 30, 2025.
(B) The Secretary has submitted to Congress a
report on the reviews conducted under subparagraph (A),
including, for each contract reviewed, a certification
by the Secretary and career head of each relevant
administration or office of the Department of Veterans
Affairs that canceling the contract has not or will not
affect any of the following:
(i) The delivery of health care, benefits,
and memorial services to veterans.
(ii) Safety and cleanliness of any facility
of the Department, including surgical suites.
(iii) The ability of the Department to
prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse.
(iv) Medical research carried out by the
Department.
(v) Cyber and information security.
(vi) Planning, delivery, and maintenance
for infrastructure, leasing, and construction.
(vii) Homelessness services, including
prevention and housing.
(viii) Cancer research and care.
(ix) Memorial services.
(x) Claims processing and retrieval and
digitization of records.
(xi) Veteran-directed care.
(xii) Payments and program oversight for
educational assistance under laws administered
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(xiii) Medical supplies.
(xiv) Mental health and suicide prevention.
(xv) Implementation of the Sergeant First
Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to
Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-168) (commonly known as the
``PACT Act'').
(xvi) Radiology services.
(xvii) Pharmacy services.
(xviii) Prosthetics services.
(xix) The Transition Assistance Program.
(xx) The Home Loan Guaranty Program of the
Department.
(xxi) Police and security services provided
by the Department.
(xxii) Emergency response, including the
``Fourth Mission'' of the Department.
(xxiii) Veterans employment.
(xxiv) The disposal of waste, including
hazardous waste.
(xxv) Any other critical service, function,
or operation of the Department, including those
required by statute.
(C) The Secretary has submitted to Congress a
report that sets forth a day-by-day timeline of how the
effort to carry out mass contract cancellations was
initiated, led, and unfolded, including the following:
(i) An identification of each of the
following:
(I) Who directed the effort to
begin and the date on which such
direction took place.
(II) The parameters of the effort.
(III) Whether the Department was
provided with a dollar number target to
meet for ``savings'' or whether
officials of the Department determined
the amount of savings desired.
(IV) The search terms used to
select contracts for cancellation.
(V) Who led the contract review
process.
(VI) The specific individuals who
reviewed the justifications to defend
the merits of each contract.
(VII) The data and fact-based
criteria used to decide which contracts
should be cancelled based on the review
of the defense of those contracts
prepared by career officials.
(VIII) Whether any contracts were
removed from the initial list of
contracts to be cancelled prior to that
list being finalized.
(IX) The criteria used to develop
the list of contracts announced for
termination on March 3, 2025.
(ii) An estimate developed by the Chief
Financial Officer or the Assistant Secretary
for Management of the Department of the cost
expended by employees of the Department to
respond to data calls and contract
justification exercises during the period
beginning on January 20, 2025 and ending on
April 30, 2025.
(iii) A list of contracts cancelled during
the period described in clause (ii) that were
subsequently restored, and any costs paid by
the Department to the contractor to mitigate
the temporary cancellation, including legal
fees.
(iv) For each contract that was cancelled,
an estimated cost for the work to be performed
by government personnel and an identification
of the part of the Department those personnel
will come from considering the ongoing partial
hiring freeze and reduction in force efforts of
the Department, including those outlined in the
Departmental memorandum dated March 4, 2025,
and entitled ``Department of Veterans Affairs
Agency Reduction in Force (RIF) and
Reorganization Plan (ARRP)''.
(b) Inspector General Review.--Not later than one year after the
date on which the reports required by subsection (a) are submitted to
Congress, the Inspector General of the Department shall--
(1) review the reports for accuracy and completeness; and
(2) submit to Congress and make publicly available a report
that includes--
(A) findings regarding whether the process for mass
contract cancellations was consistent with public
statements of Department officials;
(B) recommendations for areas for improvement for
future contract management and oversight; and
(C) such other matters as the Inspector General
considers appropriate, including actions the Department
may take to improve oversight and use of Federal
resources in order to improve efficiency in contracting
by the Department and prevent and detect waste, fraud,
and abuse.
SEC. 704. LIMITATIONS ON MASS CONTRACT CANCELLATIONS.
(a) Submission Required.--
(1) In general.--After the conditions described in section
703(a)(2) are met, if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs decides
to carry out a mass contract cancellation, the Secretary shall,
before carrying out such cancellation, submit to the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives the
following:
(A) A list of contracts proposed for cancellation.
(B) For each contract included in the list
described in subparagraph (A), a certification
described in section 703(a)(2)(B).
(C) The number of contracts included in such list
that are held by a service-disabled veteran-owned small
business or a veteran-owned small business.
(D) A description of how the work proposed to be
cancelled would be absorbed by the existing workforce
of the Department or whether hiring of additional staff
will be needed to perform that work, and a cost benefit
analysis comparing the contracting and staffing
approaches.
(2) Limitation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
not commence a mass contract cancellation until the date that
is 30 days after the date on which the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the House of Representatives receive the submission for such
cancellation under paragraph (1).
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 7 business days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit to Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report that includes the following:
(A) A list of the contracts cancelled or proposed
for cancellation developed by the Department and
announced by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on
February 25, 2025, and, for each contract included in
such list--
(i) the justification for the need for the
contract, if submitted, as written by career
employees of the Department; and
(ii) an indication of whether the entity
holding the contract is a service-disabled
veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned
small business.
(B) A list of contracts announced for cancellation
by the Department of Veterans Affairs on March 3, 2025,
and, for each contract included in such list--
(i) the justification for the need for the
contract, if submitted, as written by career
employees of the Department; and
(ii) an indication of whether the entity
holding the contract is a service-disabled
veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned
small business.
(2) Data fields.--Each list described in paragraph (1)
shall contain, at a minimum, the following fields:
(A) Contract/Order #/PIID.
(B) Vendor.
(C) Category of contract using relevant North
American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
terminology.
(D) Contract description.
(E) Date of termination or contract action.
(F) Contracting Unique Entity Identifier.
(G) The headquarters city and State of the vendor.
SEC. 705. CHARGE CARD PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days before making any change to
the charge card program of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
including any change reducing the total number of charge cards
authorized for use, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives in writing of the
proposed change.
(b) Elements.--Any notification required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) The justification for the change concerned.
(2) The timeline for the change to occur.
(3) A description of how the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
intends to monitor for any negative effects on health care or
benefits delivery.
(c) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on the date on which
President Trump is no longer President.
TITLE VIII--REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
SEC. 801. REQUIREMENT FOR VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION MONDAY
MORNING WORKLOAD REPORT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 5322. Monday Morning Workload Report
``(a) In General.--Not less frequently than once each week, the
Under Secretary for Benefits shall publish on a publicly available
website of the Department, a report providing a snapshot of the
workload of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
``(b) Contents.--Each report published pursuant to subsection (a)
shall include the following:
``(1) National totals for pending and backlogged
compensation, pension, appeals, and education workloads of the
Veterans Benefits Administration.
``(2) National, district, and regional office-level data,
disaggregated by the following:
``(A) Station of jurisdiction.
``(B) Station of origination.
``(C) State.
``(D) National Work Queue, or successor queue,
including--
``(i) the number of claims pending at stage
of the claims life cycle; and
``(ii) average time claims are pending at
each stage of a life cycle.
``(3) Data for groups of claims, disaggregated by national,
district, and regional office or State level, including non-
rating bundle, entitlement bundle, award adjustments bundle,
program review bundle, other bundle, burial claims, accrued
claims, appeals, number of claims and appeals with duty to
assist errors, and such other groups as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
``(4) National level data on claim and appeal inventories,
disaggregated by end product code.
``(5) Regional office level data on claim and appeal
inventories, disaggregated by traditional aggregate groups.
``(6) National level data on the future volume of work of
which the Under Secretary is aware.
``(7) Average age of claims that have maintained continuous
pursuit.
``(8) Factors contributing to the increase or decrease in
workload and the claims backlog.
``(9) Such additional data as the Under Secretary considers
appropriate.
``(c) Publication Requirement.--Each report published pursuant to
subsection (a) in a week shall be published on the Monday of that week,
except as follows:
``(1) In a case in which the Monday of the week of
publication is a Federally recognized holiday, the report shall
be published on the Tuesday of that week.
``(2) In a case in which the Secretary is publishing the
report required by subsection (a) more than once in a single
week, any publication after the first publication may be made
on any day of the week at the discretion of the Under
Secretary.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 53 of such title is amended by adding after the item relating
to section 5321 the following new item:
``5322. Monday Morning Workload Report.''.
SEC. 802. IMPROVEMENTS REGARDING PERIODIC PUBLICATION OF METRICS
RELATING TO PROCESSING OF APPEALS.
Section 5 of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act
of 2017 (Public Law 115-55) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(4) A summary of the outcome of appeals under the new
appeals system, including appeals reviewed by the Board of
Veterans' Appeals, disaggregated by--
``(A) the type of review;
``(B) station of origination;
``(C) type of appeal; and
``(D) diagnostic codes.''.
SEC. 803. PUBLICATION OF WAIT TIMES FOR COMMUNITY CARE FROM DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish
on a publicly accessible website of each medical center of the
Department of Veterans Affairs the wait times for scheduling an
appointment for a veteran to receive care from a non-Department
provider in the community for that medical center and each of the
clinics of the Department in the catchment area of that medical center.
(b) Data To Be Included.--The Secretary shall include in the
publication under subsection (a) wait times for the following care:
(1) Primary care.
(2) Specialty care.
(3) Inpatient care.
(4) Mental health care.
(5) Such other types of care as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(c) Update.--The Secretary shall update the wait times published
under subsection (a) not less frequently than weekly.
(d) Metrics Used.--The Secretary shall calculate the wait times
published under subsection (a) based on similar metrics as the metrics
used to calculate wait times for care at facilities of the Department.
SEC. 804. PERIOD FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO RESPOND TO
QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF CERTAIN CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES.
(a) Requirement.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall provide--
(1) an answer to a question submitted for the record to the
Department of Veterans Affairs by a member of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs of the House of Representatives, on or before the date
that is 45 business days after the date on which the Department
receives the question;
(2) an answer to a request for information submitted by a
member of the staff of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate or the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House
of Representatives or a member of either committee, on or
before the date that is 15 business days after the date on
which the Department receives the request from the member of
the staff or the member of the committee, as the case may be;
and
(3) an answer to a letter sent by a member of the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, on or before
the date that is 15 business days after the date on which the
Department receives the letter.
(b) Delayed Responses.--
(1) Notice required.--If the Secretary anticipates being
unable to provide an answer to a question, request for
information, or letter described in subsection (a) that was
submitted to the Department by the date specified in such
subsection, the Secretary shall, before such date, submit to
the member and the relevant Committee a notice that the
Secretary anticipates being unable to provide the answer by
such date.
(2) Contents.--Notice submitted under paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) A justification for the inability of the
Secretary to meet the deadline set forth in subsection
(a).
(B) An estimate of when an answer will be provided
by the Secretary to the question, request for
information, or letter submitted.
(C) A description of the steps the Secretary needs
to take in order to provide the response, including
steps required to obtain any information required of
another Federal agency.
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