United States 115th Congress Status: In Committee 35 R cosponsors

HR 611 — VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

The bill allows for the removal or demotion of VA employees for performance or misconduct.

This bill enables the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to remove or demote employees based on performance or misconduct. It also changes the appeal process for these actions.

Summary

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.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Introduced in House

  2. Introduced in House

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 34 co-sponsors · 512 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (34)

Not signed on (512)

512 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 512 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

veterans
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 611 do?
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.
Who sponsors HR 611?
HR 611 is sponsored by Franks, Trent (Republican), Tipton, Scott R. (Republican), Farenthold, Blake (Republican), Rooney, Thomas J. (Republican), Scott, Austin (Republican), Smith, Lamar (Republican), Stivers, Steve (Republican), McClintock, Tom (Republican), Thompson, Glenn (Republican), Denham, Jeff (Republican), Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" (Republican), Rouzer, David (Republican), Olson, Pete (Republican), Young, David (Republican), Higgins, Clay (Republican), Perry, Scott (Republican), Johnson, Bill (Republican), Valadao, David G. (Republican), King, Steve (Republican), Allen, Rick W. (Republican), Wittman, Robert J. (Republican), Collins, Chris (Republican), Smith, Jason (Republican), Garrett, Thomas A., Jr. (Republican), Bishop, Mike (Republican), Hensarling, Jeb (Republican), Gibbs, Bob (Republican), Fitzpatrick, Brian K. (Republican), Graves, Tom (Republican), Poe, Ted (Republican), Rice, Tom (Republican), Trott, David A. (Republican), Marchant, Kenny (Republican), Wagner, Ann (Republican), and Lamborn, Doug (Republican).
What is the current status of HR 611?
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 611?
Track HR 611 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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