US Congress House Bill 1259 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 26-1)
Status: Engrossed on March 21 2017 - 50% progression, died in committee
Action: 2017-03-21 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Pending: Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]

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.

VA Accountability First Act of 2017

Rep. David Roe [R-TN]	Rep. Gus Bilirakis [R-FL]	Rep. Jody Arrington [R-TX]	Rep. Mike Coffman [R-CO]
Rep. Brad Wenstrup [R-OH]	Rep. Amata Radewagen [R-AS]	Rep. Mike Bost [R-IL]	Rep. Jack Bergman [R-MI]
Rep. Bruce Poliquin [R-ME]	Sen. Jim Banks [R-IN]	Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon [R-PR]	Rep. Clay Higgins [R-LA]
Rep. Ron DeSantis [R-FL]	Rep. Edward Royce [R-CA]	Rep. Robert Pittenger [R-NC]	Rep. Warren Davidson [R-OH]
Rep. Jackie Walorski [R-IN]	Rep. Neal Dunn [R-FL]	Rep. Todd Rokita [R-IN]	Rep. Bradley Byrne [R-AL]
Rep. Gregg Harper [R-MS]	Rep. James Renacci [R-OH]	Rep. Pete Sessions [R-TX]	Rep. Tom Cole [R-OK]
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema [I-AZ]	Rep. Scott Tipton [R-CO]	Rep. Sam Johnson [R-TX]

2017-03-16 - House - On agreeing to the Walz amendment (A002) H.Amdt.82 RC# 165 (Y: 194 N: 223 NV: 12 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2017-03-16 - House - On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A007) H.Amdt.87 RC# 166 (Y: 183 N: 232 NV: 14 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2017-03-16 - House - On motion to recommit with instructions RC# 167 (Y: 189 N: 229 NV: 11 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2017-03-16 - House - On passage RC# 168 (Y: 237 N: 178 NV: 14 Abs: 0) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2017-03-21	Senate	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2017-03-16	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2017-03-16	House	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 - 178 (Roll no. 168).
2017-03-16	House	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 - 229 (Roll no. 167).
2017-03-16	House	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	Mr. Kihuen moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR H2133)
2017-03-16	House	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)
2017-03-16	House	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2017-03-16	House	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1259.
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.87 On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A007) Failed by recorded vote: 183 - 232 (Roll no. 166).
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.82 On agreeing to the Walz amendment (A002) Failed by recorded vote: 194 - 223 (Roll no. 165).
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.87 Amendment (A007) in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Takano. (consideration: CR H2130-2132, H2132-2133; text: CR H2130-2131)
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.86 On agreeing to the Kuster (NH) amendment (A006) Agreed to by voice vote.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.86 Amendment (A006) offered by Ms. Kuster (NH). (consideration: CR H2129-2130; text: CR H2129-2130)
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.85 On agreeing to the Tenney amendment (A005) Agreed to by voice vote.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.85 Amendment (A005) offered by Ms. Tenney. (consideration: CR H2128-2129; text: CR H2128-2129)
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.84 On agreeing to the Taylor amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.84 Amendment (A004) offered by Mr. Taylor. (consideration: CR H2128; text: CR H2128)
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.83 On agreeing to the Kuster (NH) amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.83 Amendment (A003) offered by Ms. Kuster (NH). (consideration: CR H2127-2128; text: CR H2127)
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.82 Amendment (A002) offered by Mr. Walz. (consideration: CR H2125-2127, H2132; text: CR H2125-2126)
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.81 On agreeing to the Roe (TN) amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.
2017-03-16	House	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.
2017-03-16	House	H.Amdt.81 Amendment (A001) offered by Mr. Roe (TN). (consideration: CR H2125; text: CR H2125)
2017-03-16	House	GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1259.
2017-03-16	House	The Speaker designated the Honorable Harold Rogers to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2017-03-16	House	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 198 and Rule XVIII.
2017-03-16	House	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 198. (consideration: CR H2114-2135)
2017-03-10	House	Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 16.
2017-03-10	House	Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
2017-03-10	House	Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-34, Part I.
2017-02-28	House	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.
2017-02-28	House	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.
2017-02-28	House	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.
2017-02-28	House	Introduced in House

HB1690 (Related) 2017-07-25 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
HR198 (Related) 2017-03-16 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
SB493 (Related) 2017-03-02 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
SB2807 (Related) 2018-05-09 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1259/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr1259/BILLS-115hr1259ih.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr1259/BILLS-115hr1259rh.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr1259/BILLS-115hr1259eh.pdf
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017168
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017167
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017166
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017165