H.R. 1259: VA Accountability First Act of 2017

115th Congress · Sponsored from Tennessee · In committee

What this bill does

VA Accountability First Act of 2017 (Sec. 3) This bill revises the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove, demote by a reduction in grade and pay, or suspend a VA employee, including a member in a senior executive position, for reasons of performance or misconduct. A demoted individual shall not be placed on administrative leave during the appeals period and may receive pay only if he or she reports for duty or is approved to use certain accrued unused leave. An expedited appeals process is established for such VA decisions, including the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board. The VA may not remove, demote, or suspend an employee: (1) without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice, and (2) until a final decision in the case of a whistle-blower complaint. Whistle-blower protections are revised, including to prohibit the VA from taking any such action against a person who has a pending whistle-blower complaint. (Sec. 4) 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: (1) 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; and (2) recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee under specified circumstances. (Sec. 8) The VA may directly appoint qualifying individuals to the positions of Medical Center Director and Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network. (Sec. 9) The bill revises time periods for adverse action reviews with respect to physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, and expanded-function dental auxiliaries. (Sec. 10) The VA shall report to Congress annually on performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees. (Sec. 11) The VA shall: (1) ensure that supervisors are evaluated on actions taken to improve employee performance, and (2) provide supervisors with training on whistle-blower protections.

Key facts

• Status In committee
• Introduced 2017-02-28
• Policy area Armed Forces and National Security
• Cosponsors 26
• Latest action Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Sponsor

Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1]

Lead sponsor · Tennessee

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Who funds the sponsor?

Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] introduced H.R. 1259. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with H.R. 1259? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →