This bill modifies VA personnel action procedures, allowing removal, demotion, or suspension of supervisors and managers based on substantial evidence of performance or misconduct issues. Affected employees receive advance notice, representation rights, and access to internal grievances. The bill protects whistleblowers from retaliation and applies retroactively to the 2017 VA Accountability Act enactment date.
Latest Action
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill modifies VA personnel action procedures, allowing removal, demotion, or suspension of supervisors and managers based on substantial evidence of performance or misconduct issues. Affected employees receive advance notice, representation rights, and access to internal grievances. The bill protects whistleblowers from retaliation and applies retroactively to the 2017 VA Accountability Act enactment date.
Last updated: 1/4/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 or the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill modifies personnel action procedures regarding certain employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). </p><p>The bill authorizes the VA to remove from civil service, demote, or suspend VA employees that are supervisors or managers if the VA determines by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of such individual warrants such action. This authority does not apply to certain appointees or individuals in their probationary or trial period.</p><p>Supervisors or managers who are subject to a removal, demotion, or suspension under this bill are entitled to (1) advance notice of the action and supporting evidence, (2) representation by an attorney or representative, and (3) grieve the action in accordance with an internal grievance process.</p><p>The bill also provides protections from removal, demotion, or suspension for supervisor or managers who are whistleblowers or are seeking corrective action for an alleged prohibited personnel practice such as discrimination.</p><p>The bill also modifies the procedures to remove, demote, or suspend VA employees or senior executives based on performance or misconduct, specifically by requiring the VA to determine by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of the individual warrants such removal, demotion, or suspension. Such procedures must apply retroactively, beginning on the date of enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (June 23, 2017).</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows personnel actions based on substantial evidence standard
Applies to VA supervisors and managers
Provides advance notice and representation rights
Protects whistleblowers from retaliation
Retroactive application to June 23, 2017
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This legislation aims to strengthen VA management accountability while addressing concerns that earlier accountability measures were applied inconsistently. The substantial evidence standard and procedural protections balance management authority with employee due process. Whistleblower protections ensure accountability reforms dont silence those who report problems within the VA.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Related Subjects
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee performance
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Judicial review and appeals
Veterans' medical care
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
124, 119th Congress (2025). "Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-124