H.R. 1259 - 115th Congress (2017-2018) - VA Accountability First Act of 2017

This bill authorizes 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.

The bill prescribes VA removal and employee appeals procedures.

Whistle-blower protections are revised, including by prohibiting VA from taking any such action against a person who has a pending whistle-blower complaint.

This bill provides for the reduction of federal annuities of VA employees and retirees convicted of a felony that influenced their performance while employed in such position.

The VA may recoup certain bonuses, awards, and reallocation expenses.

The VA may directly appoint qualifying individuals to the positions of Medical Center Director and Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network.

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.

Text (4)

March 21, 2017

March 16, 2017

March 10, 2017

February 28, 2017

Amendments (7)

Mar 16, 2017

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 87

Amendment sought to provide for the suspension and removal of VA employees for performance or misconduct that is a threat to public health and safety in place of the proposed removal process.

Active

Mar 16, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 86

An amendment numbered 8 printed in House Report 115-39 to require VA supervisors to develop performance plans for employees, to include steps taken to address poor performance. It would also improve training for supervisors.

Agreed To

Mar 16, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 85

An amendment numbered 7 printed in Part A of House Report 115-39 to require that bonuses awarded to senior-level executives within the Department of Veterans Affairs be reported to Congress on an annual basis.

Agreed To

Mar 16, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 84

An amendment numbered 6 printed in Part A of House Report 115-39 to require the Veterans Administration to provide a semi-annual report to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs outlining all instances of Senior Executives who are detailed to a new position within the agency. The report will contain details on the purpose of the reassignment as well as the costs associated with the reassignment.

Agreed To

Mar 16, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 83

An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part A of House Report 115-39 to include as prohibited personnel practices as described in the whistleblower protection subsection of section 3 with those defined in 38 USC 733(c).

Agreed To

Mar 16, 2017

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 82

Amendment sought to grant the VA Secretary improved authorities to hold VA senior executives and employees accountable, protect employees' constitutionally guaranteed due process rights, and protect employees' collective bargaining rights under federal law.

Active

Mar 16, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 81

An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 115-39 to insert "to or" after the word "paid" on page 20, line 15.

Agreed To

Actions (30)

Show Only Major Actions

03/21/2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

03/16/2017

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

03/16/2017

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 - 178 (Roll no. 168).

03/16/2017

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 - 178 (Roll no. 168).

03/16/2017

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 - 229 (Roll no. 167).

03/16/2017

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

03/16/2017

DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add language to the bill further defining protections to whistleblowers who file complaints.

03/16/2017

Mr. Kihuen moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR H2133)

03/16/2017

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2122-2125)

03/16/2017

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

03/16/2017

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1259.

03/16/2017

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

03/16/2017

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano Part A amendment No. 9, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

03/16/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano Part A amendment No. 9.

03/16/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster(NH) Part A amendment No. 8.

03/16/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tenney Part A amendment No. 7.

03/16/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Taylor Part A amendment No. 6.

03/16/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster(NH) Part A amendment No. 4.

03/16/2017

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Walz Part A amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Walz demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

03/16/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Walz Part A amendment No. 2.

03/16/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Roe (TN) Part A amendment No. 1.

03/16/2017

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1259.

03/16/2017

The Speaker designated the Honorable Harold Rogers to act as Chairman of the Committee.

03/16/2017

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 198 and Rule XVIII.

03/16/2017

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 198. (consideration: CR H2114-2135)

03/10/2017

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 16.

03/10/2017

Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.

03/10/2017

Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-34, Part I.

02/28/2017

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.

02/28/2017

Introduced in House

Public Record

Record Updated

Jan 11, 2023 1:35:03 PM