,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ajfh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #ac1 #bjbe,mr4 ,blumenthal 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,ms4 ,duckworth1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mr4 ,gallego1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 ,ms4 ,rosen1 ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto1 ,mr4 ,schiff1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,mr4 ,padilla1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,kelly1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,heinrich1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,lujn1 ,mr4 ,hickenlooper1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 and ,mr4 ,van ,hollen7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #e and title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to put veteran and military families first and to provide protections for employees1 benefits1 and programs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,putting ,veterans ,first ,act of #bjbe4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,,title ,i--,putting veteran and military families first,sec4 #aja4 ,reinstatement of members of the military community who were ,federal employees4,sec4 #ajb4 ,protection for members of the military community who were ,federal employees4,sec4 #ajc4 ,report on members of the military community in the civil service4,sec4 #ajd4 ,comptroller ,general report on military community employment4,,title ,,ii--,department of ,veterans ,affairs employees,subtitle ,a--,protections,sec4 #bja4 ,limitations on hiring freezes at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #bjb4 ,limitations on closing offices at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #bjc4 ,limitations on changes to telework and remote work at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #bjd4 ,limitations on changes to final job offers at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,subtitle ,b--,reporting,sec4 #bje4 ,notice and justification required before reduction in force at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #bjf4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs personnel reporting4,sec4 #bjg4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs research personnel reporting4,sec4 #bjh4 ,prohibition on individuals serving as ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs from also serving as heads of other ,federal agencies4,sec4 #bji4 ,office of ,special ,counsel4,sec4 #baj4 ,office of ,government ,ethics4,subtitle ,c--,restoring accountability and services,sec4 #baa4 ,report on effects of removing essential programs1 offices1 and services from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #bab4 ,restoring ,department of ,veterans ,affairs programs1 offices1 and services affected since the beginning of the second ,trump ,administration4,,title ,,iii--,protections for civil servants,sec4 #cja4 ,nominations to ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board4,sec4 #cjb4 ,modifications to appeal rights for probationary employees4,sec4 #cjc4 ,authority to retract offers and contracts relating to deferred resignations4,sec4 #cjd4 ,limitation on changes to competitive service categories of positions4,,title ,,iv--,mental health care for civil servants,sec4 #dja4 ,mental health services4,sec4 #djb4 ,mental health services for current civil servants4,,title ,v--,employment assistance for civil servants,sec4 #eja4 ,employment assistance4,sec4 #ejb4 ,office of ,personnel ,management and the ,department of ,labor work on employment opportunities for members of the military community4,,title ,,vi--,department of ,government ,efficiency,sec4 #fja4 ,limitation on access to veteran and department information1 systems1 and data4,sec4 #fjb4 ,limitation on application of certain ,executive ,orders relating to ,department of ,government ,efficiency at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #fjc4 ,report on compliance with limitation on access to veteran and ,department of ,veterans ,affairs information1 systems1 and data and ,inspector ,general review4,,title ,,vii--,financial needs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs,sec4 #gja4 ,definition2 rule of construction4,sec4 #gjb4 ,report on financial effect of the ,department of ,government ,efficiency on the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #gjc4 ,reinstatement of contracts and review of mass contract cancellations4,sec4 #gjd4 ,limitations on mass contract cancellations4,sec4 #gje4 ,charge card program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,,title ,,viii--,reporting requirements,sec4 #hja4 ,requirement for ,veterans ,benefits ,administration ,monday ,morning ,workload ,report4,sec4 #hjb4 ,improvements regarding periodic publication of metrics relating to processing of appeals4,sec4 #hjc4 ,publication of wait times for community care from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4,sec4 #hjd4 ,period for ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to respond to questions submitted by members of certain congressional committees4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,agency ,the term agency has the meaning given that term in section #cccj;d of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,caregiver ,the term caregiver means an adult family member or other individual who has a significant relationship with1 and who provides a broad range of assistance to1 a wounded1 ill1 injured1 or disabled member of the ,armed ,forces or veteran or a dependent of such a member or veteran with a chronic or other health condition1 disability1 or functional limitation4 7#c7 ,civil service ,the term civil service has the meaning given that term in section #baja of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#d7 ,demotion ,the term demotion means a reduction in grade 7as defined in section #geaa7;a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code74 7#e7 ,member of the armed forces ,the term member of the armed forces has the meaning given that term in #cae4fab7;b77#d7 of title #e1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor thereto4 7#f7 ,military spouse ,the term military spouse means-- 7,a7 the husband or wife of a member of the armed forces2 7,b7 the husband or wife of a retired1 totally disabled1 or separated member of the armed forces2 or 7,c7 the widow or widower of a member of the armed forces killed while performing active duty or who died from a service-connected injury or illness4 7#g7 ,removal ,the term removal means removing an individual from the civil service4 7#h7 ,reserve component ,the term reserve component has the meaning given that term in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#i7 ,suspension ,the term suspension means the placing an individual in a temporary status without duties and pay for a period of longer than #g days4 7#aj7 ,survivor ,the term survivor means a family member of a member of the armed forces or veteran who died while on active duty or after military retirement or of a service-connected injury or illness4 7#aa7 ,veteran 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the term veteran means a person who served on active duty as a member of the armed forces1 regardless of length of service1 and who was discharged or released therefrom4 7,b7 ,exclusions ,the term veteran does not include a person who-- 7i7 received a dishonorable discharge from the ,armed ,forces2 or 7ii7 was discharged or dismissed from the ,armed ,forces by reason of the sentence of a general court-martial4 ,i ,putting veteran and military families first #aja4 ,reinstatement of members of the military community who were ,federal employees 7a7 ,in general ,any removal1 demotion1 or suspension of a veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component who was serving in a position in the civil service that occurred during the period beginning on ,january #bj1 #bjbe1 and ending on the date of enactment of this ,act shall have no force or effect4 7b7 ,back pay and resumption of benefits ,any person whose removal1 demotion1 or suspension is rendered without force or effect under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 receive back pay for any pay not received by the person during the period beginning on the date of the removal1 suspension1 or demotion and ending on the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7#b7 have benefits restored1 retroactive to the date of the removal1 demotion1 or suspension4 7c7 ,election ,to resign ,at the election of a person whose removal1 demotion1 or suspension is rendered without force or effect under subsection 7a71 at any time after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the person may resign from the position of the person in the civil service1 which shall not affect the obligation to provide back pay or the resumption of benefits with respect to the period beginning on the date of the removal1 demotion1 or suspension and ending on the date of enactment of this ,act4 #ajb4 ,protection for members of the military community who were ,federal employees 7a7 ,in general ,any veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component who is in a position in the civil service may not be removed1 demoted1 or suspended-- 7#a7 as a part of a group of more than #e persons who are being removed1 demoted1 or suspended on the same day by the agency employing the persons2 7#b7 without providing a notification to the direct supervisor of the veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component not less than #aj business days before the removal1 demotion1 or suspension1 unless the supervisor advises or approves the removal1 demotion1 or suspension2 7#c7 on the basis of performance1 unless the veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component has received at least #a performance rating at or below level #b or minimally satisfactory 7or a similar equivalent level7 during the #a-year period ending on the date of the removal1 demotion1 or suspension2 or 7#d7 if the removal1 demotion1 or suspension would result in a greater than #ej percent vacancy rate for the office or position of the veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component or a significant reduction or elimination of the duties being carried out by the veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component1 without approval by the direct supervisor of the veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component4 7b7 ,review ,not later than #aj days after the date of the removal1 demotion1 or suspension of any veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component in a position the civil service1 the removal1 demotion1 or suspension shall be referred to the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board or the ,office of ,special ,counsel1 unless the individual agrees to waive the right to such a referral4 #ajc4 ,report on members of the military community in the civil service ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and not later than #ij days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter1 each agency shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives the following information3 7#a7 ,the number of veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component who1 during the prior fiscal year-- 7,a7 were hired by the agency1 disaggregated by those who were serving at a different agency immediately before being hired by the agency and those hired from outside the ,federal ,government2 7,b7 separated from service with the agency1 disaggregated by those who were hired by another agency and those who were not hired by another agency2 or 7,c7 were removed by the agency4 7#b7 ,the number of veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component who1 as of the end of the prior fiscal year1 were employed by the agency4 7#c7 ,data regarding any directed efforts or incentives utilized to recruit or retain veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component during the prior fiscal year4 7#d7 ,for the second report under this section1 and each report thereafter1 data on changes to the number of veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 or members of a reserve component hired by1 separated from1 or were employed by the agency1 as compared to the most recent report4 #ajd4 ,comptroller ,general report on military community employment ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjbg1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives and publicly issue a report regarding employment of military community members by the ,federal ,government1 which shall-- 7#a7 include a review of employment of veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component by the ,federal ,government during fiscal years #bjbd and #bjbe2 7#b7 review the period of service in positions in the civil service by veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component and the rate of removal1 suspension1 or demotion of veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component from positions in the civil service1 as compared to other individuals in positions in the civil service2 and 7#c7 describe any changes in employment of veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component across agencies between the end of fiscal year #bjbd and the end of fiscal year #bjbe4 ,,ii ,department of ,veterans ,affairs employees ,a ,protections #bja4 ,limitations on hiring freezes at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,limitation ,neither a position nor an employee at the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs may be subject to a hiring freeze1 hiring prohibition1 or similar policy-- 7#a7 unless the ,secretary determines that unfilled positions or lack of staff subject to such a freeze will not result in increased costs to the ,department2 and 7#b7 until the date that is #ij days after the date that the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs submits a report regarding the hiring freeze pursuant to subsection 7b74 7b7 ,report ,before issuing any hiring freeze1 hiring prohibition1 or similar policy1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the hiring strategy of the ,secretary and budgetary proof that such a freeze1 hiring prohibition1 or similar policy will not cause increased costs to the ,department4 #bjb4 ,limitations on closing offices at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,prohibition ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may not remove1 close1 or realign any office or program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs except pursuant to a provision of law that specifically authorizes such removal1 closure1 or realignment4 7b7 ,notification required ,whenever the ,secretary removes1 closes1 or realigns an office or program of the ,department1 the ,secretary shall1 not later than #a year before the date on which the ,secretary commences such removal1 closure1 or realignment1 submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives notice of the intent of the ,secretary to carry out such removal1 closure1 or realignment4 7c7 ,assistance for displaced employees ,in any case in which an employee of the ,department is displaced by the removal1 closure1 or realignment of an office or program of the ,department1 the ,secretary shall make a significant effort to find another employment opportunity for the employee within the ,department4 #bjc4 ,limitations on changes to telework and remote work at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,notice required ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may not take any action to change to a telework or remote work policy of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs until after the date that is #a year after the date on which the ,secretary-- 7#a7 submits to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives notice of the intent of the ,secretary to take such action or make such change2 and 7#b7 transmits notice of such intent to the following3 7,a7 ,labor organizations that represent employees of the ,department4 7,b7 ,the employees of the ,department who would be affected by such action or change4 7b7 ,enforcement ,a violation of subsection 7a7 against an employee of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall be treated1 under section #eje of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gid;a71 as a violation of section #eja of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gia7 against an aggrieved employee described in subsection 7a7 of that section4 #bjd4 ,limitations on changes to final job offers at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,limitations ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may not rescind or make any change to a final offer of employment with the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for any reason that is not directly related to an action or quality of the individual to whom the offer of employment was extended4 7b7 ,remedies ,a rescission or change made in violation of subsection 7a7 may be appealed to the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board in accordance with the procedures under section #ggja of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 ,b ,reporting #bje4 ,notice and justification required before reduction in force at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days before commencing any effort to carry out a reduction in force1 or similar action under a different name1 at the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit a justification for the reduction in force or similar action to the following3 7#a7 ,the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#c7 ,the labor organizations that represent employees of the ,department4 7#d7 ,each employee of the ,department who will be affected by the reduction in force or similar action4 7b7 ,contents ,each justification submitted pursuant to subsection 7a7 for a reduction in force or similar action shall include the following3 7#a7 ,for each employee or position that will be terminated pursuant to the reduction in force or similar action1 the following3 7,a7 ,documentation and analysis used to determine that the termination will not reduce or negatively affect delivery of care or benefits for veterans4 7,b7 ,documentation and analysis used to determine that the termination will not cost the ,department or the ,federal ,government more than if the ,department were to retain the position or employee4 7,c7 ,cost estimate1 strategic plan1 analysis1 and any other relevant information or documentation the ,secretary used to determine the need to terminate the employee or position4 7#b7 ,the planned timeline for the reduction in force or similar action and the methodology the ,secretary will use to track the actual effects of the reduction in force or similar action4 7#c7 ,options for changing the plans of the ,secretary and a strategy should an unexpected negative impact to veterans occur from the planned actions4 #bjf4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs personnel reporting 7a7 ,in general ,section #eje of the ,john ,s4 ,mc,cain ,,iii1 ,daniel ,k4 ,akaka1 and ,samuel ,r4 ,johnson ,,va ,maintaining ,internal ,systems and ,strengthening ,integrated ,outside ,networks ,act of #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ahb2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #cja note7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in the matter before subparagraph 7,a71 by striking information1 and all that follows through facility3 and inserting information32 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7,i7 by inserting 7i7 before ,the number2 and 7,,ii7 by adding at the end the following new clause3 7ii7 ,information made available under this subparagraph shall be updated not less frequently than once each quarter to account for delays in data processing and shall reflect the most recently available data4 2 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking vacancies1 by occupation4 and inserting positions currently undergoing a recruitment action1 disaggregated by occupation and by stage of recruitment1 including ,manager ,request ,initiation ,stage1 recruitment stage1 onboarding stage1 and waiting to start stage1 or successor stages if modified42 7iv7 in subparagraph 7,e77iii71 by striking potential hires or2 and 7v7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,f7 ,the number of positions vacated during the quarter for which the ,department has not initiated a recruitment action1 including the date the position was vacated1 disaggregated by occupation4 2 7,b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 7,c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following new paragraph 7#e73 7#e7 ,display of information ,the display of information made publicly available on an internet website of the ,department pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 shall be disaggregated-- 7,a7 by departmental component2 7,b7 in the case of information relating to ,veterans ,health ,administration positions1 by medical facility2 and 7,c7 in the case of information relating to ,veterans ,benefits ,administration positions1 by regional office4 2 and 7,d7 in paragraph 7#f71 as redesignated by subparagraph 7,b71 by striking shall and all that follows and inserting 8shall-- 7,a7 review the administration of the website required under paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 develop recommendations relating to the improvement of such administration2 and 7,c7 submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report containing-- 7i7 the findings of the ,inspector ,general with respect to the most recent review conducted under subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 the recommendations most recently developed under subparagraph 7,b74 2 and 7#b7 by amending subsection 7b7 to read as follows3 7b7 ,annual report ,each year1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress an annual report that includes the following3 7#a7 ,a description of the steps the ,department is taking to achieve full staffing capacity4 7#b7 ,a description of the actions the ,department is taking to improve the onboard timeline for facilities of the ,department1 including-- 7,a7 in the case of facilities of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 for facilities for which the duration of the onboarding process exceeds the metrics laid out in the ,time to ,hire ,model of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 or successor model2 and 7,b7 in the case of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 for regional offices that exceed the time-to-hire target of the ,office of ,personnel ,management4 7#c7 ,the amount of additional funds necessary to enable the ,department to reach full staffing capacity4 7#d7 ,such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the ,secretary may have in order to achieve full staffing capacity at the ,department4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this ,act and shall apply with respect to the first update under section #eje7;a77#c7 of such ,act beginning after the date of the enactment of this ,act and each update thereafter4 #bjg4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs research personnel reporting ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to ,congress a report that includes-- 7#a7 the number of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs research employees who were terminated from the ,department since ,january #bj1 #bjbe2 7#b7 the number of ,department research employees who had their term limits shortened since ,january #bj1 #bjbe2 and 7#c7 a list of the research studies the employees described in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 were working on4 #bjh4 ,prohibition on individuals serving as ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs from also serving as heads of other ,federal agencies 7a7 ,in general ,section #cjc of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,there is and inserting the following3 7a7 ,in general ,there is 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsections3 7b7 ,prohibition 7#a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 including any provision of subchapter ,,iii of chapter #cc of title #e1 an individual who is serving as the ,secretary1 regardless of whether such service is pursuant to an appointment made by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate or such service is in an acting capacity1 may not serve as the head of any other ,executive agency1 either pursuant to an appointment made by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate or in an acting capacity1 while serving as the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,effect of noncompliance 7,a7 ,removal from office ,an individual serving as the ,secretary who is not in compliance with subsection 7a7 is hereby removed from the position of ,secretary4 7,b7 ,prohibition on certain actions ,an individual removed from the position of ,secretary by subparagraph 7,a7 may not issue orders1 guidance1 direct any people or resources1 or in any other manner carry out any of the functions of the ,secretary4 7,c7 ,treatment of orders1 guidance1 and direction ,any order1 guidance1 or direction of people or resources or any other leadership action issued by an individual who was removed from the position of ,secretary by subparagraph 7,a7 and that was issued on or after the date of such removal shall be considered unlawful4 7c7 ,definition of ,executive agency ,in this section1 the term ,executive agency has the meaning given such term in section #aje of title #e and includes the ,office of ,government ,ethics and the ,office of ,special ,counsel1 but does not include any advisory committee 7as such term is defined in section #ajja of title #e74 4 7b7 ,effective date ,subsections 7b7 and 7c7 of section #cjc of such title1 as added by subsection 7a71 shall take effect on the date that is #g days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7c7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #cj days after the date specified in subsection 7b71 the most senior career individual in the ,office of the ,general ,counsel of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on compliance with the provisions of this ,act4 7#b7 ,contents ,the report submitted pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,documentation as to whether the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs is in compliance with section #cjc7;b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a74 7,b7 ,a description of the procedures in effect to reestablish firewalls1 conflict of interest protections1 and independence requirements at the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7,c7 ,an affirmation that the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs will comply with and respect the independent oversight and investigative power of the ,office of ,special ,counsel1 the ,office of ,government ,ethics1 the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board1 the ,government ,accountability ,office1 the ,office of ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 the ,federal ,labor ,relations ,board1 and all other relevant investigatory and audit bodies4 #bji4 ,office of ,special ,counsel ,section #abaa7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the sixth sentence and inserting the following3 ,the ,special ,counsel1 including any individual serving as the ,special ,counsel in an acting capacity1 may not hold another office or position in the ,government of the ,united ,states while serving as the ,special ,counsel4 ,notwithstanding any provision of subchapter ,,iii of chapter #cc1 if the ,special ,counsel dies1 resigns1 or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office1 the most senior career attorney serving in the ,office of ,general ,counsel of the ,office of ,special ,counsel1 as of the date of the death1 resignation1 or beginning of inability to serve1 shall serve as the ,special ,counsel until an individual is appointed by the ,president as the ,special ,counsel in accordance with this subsection44 #baj4 ,office of ,government ,ethics ,section #acaba7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,there shall and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,there shall 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,removal or transfer ,the ,director may only be removed from office by the ,president for inefficiency1 neglect of duty1 or malfeasance in office4 7#c7 ,restriction on holding other offices ,the ,director1 including any individual serving as the ,director in an acting capacity1 may not hold another office or position in the ,government of the ,united ,states while serving as the ,director4 7#d7 ,absence or unavailability of ,director ,notwithstanding any provision of subchapter ,,iii of chapter #cc1 if the ,director dies1 resigns1 or is otherwise unable to perform the function and duties of the office1 the most senior career individual serving in the office of the ,chief of ,staff of the ,office of ,government ,ethics1 as of the date of the death1 resignation1 or beginning of inability to serve1 shall serve as the ,director until an individual is appointed by the ,president as the ,director in accordance with this subsection4 4 ,c ,restoring accountability and services #baa4 ,report on effects of removing essential programs1 offices1 and services from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,report required ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the effects of removing essential programs1 offices1 and services from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs during the period beginning on ,january #bj1 #bjbe1 and ending on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7b7 ,contents ,the report submitted pursuant to subsection 7a7 shall include1 for the period covered by the report1 the following3 7#a7 ,a description of all offices or programs either reorganized1 renamed1 shut down1 or reduced4 7#b7 ,position titles of individuals either terminated or placed on leave1 disaggregated by which office they were housed in4 7#c7 ,a list of all websites1 pamphlets1 fliers1 reports1 photographs1 or other public-facing documents removed4 7#d7 ,a detailed description of how accessibility of ,department facilities and websites has been affected1 for both veterans and ,department employees4 7#e7 ,a list of any ,department research projects cancelled or postponed4 7#f7 ,a list of all ,department employee-facing documents or trainings removed from intranet sites4 7#g7 ,a list of all events cancelled or postponed by the ,department4 7#h7 ,for each of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#g71 a justification for why each action was taken4 #bab4 ,restoring ,department of ,veterans ,affairs programs1 offices1 and services affected since the beginning of the second ,trump ,administration 7a7 ,restoring ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7#a7 ,in general ,any removal1 demotion1 or suspension of a ,department of ,veterans ,affairs employee during the period beginning on ,january #bj1 #bjbe1 and ending on the date of the enactment of this ,act shall be considered null and void4 7#b7 ,backpay and resumption of benefits ,a person subject to a removal1 demotion1 or suspension described in paragraph 7#a7 shall be eligible for backpay and resumption of benefits4 7#c7 ,resignations ,a person described in paragraph 7#b7 who does not wish to be restored to a position from which the person was removed1 demoted1 or suspended as described in paragraph 7#a7 may resign from the position as they so choose4 7b7 ,publication of certain materials and websites ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall commence publishing all materials and websites described in section #baa7;b74 7c7 ,nullification of cancellation or postponement of certain research projects ,the cancellation or postponement of any research projects during the period beginning on ,january #bj1 #bjbe1 and ending on the date of the enactment of this ,act shall be considered null and void4 7d7 ,withdrawal of certain directive relating to flags ,the ,secretary shall withdraw the ,february #ab1 #bjbe directive of the ,secretary entitled ,public ,display or ,depiction of ,flags throughout ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7,,va7 ,facilities4 ,,iii ,protections for civil servants #cja4 ,nominations to ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board ,subchapter ,i of chapter #ab of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended in section #abjb1 by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,not later than #cj days after the date on which a vacancy on the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board occurs 7whether before or at the end of a term of office of a member71 the ,president shall appoint an individual to fill that vacancy4 4 #cjb4 ,modifications to appeal rights for probationary employees ,section #ggja7;a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended1 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by inserting 7including1 notwithstanding any other provision of law1 an employee who is in a probationary period74 #cjc4 ,authority to retract offers and contracts relating to deferred resignations 7a7 ,authority ,any offer or contract relating to deferred resignation commitment accepted or entered into by an employee in a position in the civil service may be nullified by the employee 7without penalty7 at any time until the close of business on the last day of the employment of the employee by the agency employing the employee4 7b7 ,remedy ,a violation of subsection 7a7 may be appealed to the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board in accordance with the procedures under section #ggja of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or challenged in a court of competent jurisdiction4 #cjd4 ,limitation on changes to competitive service categories of positions 7a7 ,limitation ,a position in the civil service may not be shifted1 realigned1 or removed from a competitive service category to an excepted service category-- 7#a7 unless-- 7,a7 the employee who current fills the position agrees to such a shift2 or 7,b7 the position is vacant2 or 7#b7 until the date that is #b years after the date on which the head of the agency employing the employee has given notice to the employee and submitted to ,congress notice of such a shift1 realignment1 or removal4 7b7 ,remedy ,a violation of subsection 7a7 may be appealed to the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board in accordance with the procedures under section #ggja of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or reviewed by a court of competent jurisdiction4 ,,iv ,mental health care for civil servants #dja4 ,mental health services ,the agency that currently employs1 or most recently employed1 a veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component serving in a position in the civil service who is removed1 demoted1 or suspended on or after ,january #bj1 #bjbe1 shall reimburse the veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component for the cost of all mental health services provided during the #ij-;day period beginning on the date of the removal1 demotion1 or suspension4 #djb4 ,mental health services for current civil servants 7a7 ,vet ,centers ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall deploy a mobile ,vet ,center to the office of any agency that1 on or after ,january #bj1 #bjbe1 removes1 suspends1 or demotes a group of more than #e veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 or members of a reserve component on any day1 for use by any current or former employees of the agency who are a veteran1 military spouse1 caregiver1 survivor1 or member of a reserve component4 7b7 ,funding ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 until ,february #a1 #bjcj1 an agency may not reduce the amount of funds spent1 contracts1 staff1 or programming related to mental health counseling services1 financial and legal services1 dependent care services1 workplace conflict resolution services1 cultural competency services1 substance use treatment services1 crisis intervention services1 or employee assistance programs below the levels as of ,january #e1 #bjbe4 ,v ,employment assistance for civil servants #eja4 ,employment assistance ,the ,president shall order measures to provide employment assistance and opportunities for veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component who are removed1 demoted1 or suspended from civil service on or after ,january #bj1 #bjbe4 #ejb4 ,office of ,personnel ,management and the ,department of ,labor work on employment opportunities for members of the military community ,the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management and the ,secretary of ,labor shall-- 7#a7 work with the heads of other agencies to expand and facilitate the use of ,federal programs1 hiring and training opportunities1 and retention incentives for veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component2 7#b7 seek to develop partnerships with firms in the private sector to enhance employment opportunities for veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component1 including to provide for improved job portability for such individuals2 7#c7 work with the ,united ,states ,chamber of ,commerce and other appropriate private-sector entities to facilitate the formation of such partnerships2 and 7#d7 examine and seek ways for incorporating hiring preferences for veterans1 military spouses1 caregivers1 survivors1 and members of a reserve component into contracts between an agency and #a or more private sector entities4 ,,vi ,department of ,government ,efficiency #fja4 ,limitation on access to veteran and department information1 systems1 and data 7a7 ,limitations 7#a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,iii of chapter #eg of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end of the following new section3 #egbi4 ,limitations on access to certain information1 systems1 and data 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may not allow any individual to use1 exercise administrative control over1 or otherwise access any ,department information technology system1 health or benefits data repository1 contracting information1 financial system1 record system1 or other relevant system1 or any data from any such system1 unless-- 7#a7 such individual is an officer1 employee1 or contractor of the ,department2 and 7#b7 in the case of an individual not described in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 such individual holds a security clearance at the appropriate level with respect to such system or data and such clearance was granted pursuant to the procedures established under section #hja of the ,national ,security ,act of #aidg 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa72 7,b7 such individual's access to such system or data1 or use thereof1 does not constitute a violation of section #bjh of title #ah 7determined after the application of subsection 7b772 7,c7 such individual is not a special ,government employee 7as defined in section #bjb of title #ah72 7,d7 such individual's current continuous service in the civil service 7as that term is defined in section #baja of title #e7 as of the date of such access is for a period of not less than one year2 7,e7 such individual has completed any required training or compliance procedures with respect to privacy laws1 cybersecurity regulations1 national security regulations1 and best practices2 and 7,f7 has signed a written ethics agreement with either the senior career ,designated ,agency ,ethics ,official of the ,department1 or the most senior career official within the ,office of ,government ,ethics4 7b7 ,treatment of individuals who are not officers or employees of executive branch of ,federal ,government 7#a7 ,any individual who accesses any system or data described in subsection 7a7 who is not otherwise an officer or employee of the executive branch of the ,federal ,government shall be treated as an employee of the executive branch of the ,united ,states ,government for purposes of section #bjh of title #ah4 7#b7 ,for purposes of such section #bjh1 exercise of administrative control or stopping1 canceling1 adjusting1 holding1 rejecting1 changing1 or otherwise impacting any payment or data in any ,department system1 data repository1 or other similar location1 shall be considered personal and substantial participation as a ,government officer or employee in a particular matter4 7c7 ,definition of other relevant system ,in this section1 the term other relevant system means any data1 system1 connection1 database1 repository1 or any other tangible thing of the ,department that stores information of the ,department1 veterans1 surviving spouses1 caregivers1 or other recipients of health care or benefits under laws administered by the ,secretary1 including health data1 personally identifiable information1 protected health information1 burial data information1 contract data1 the ,corporate ,data ,warehouse of the ,department1 data regarding benefits provided to veterans1 financial transaction and bank information1 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,integrated ,enterprise ,workflow ,solution system and data1 payroll information1 research and development data1 and data that is part of the ,million ,veteran ,program4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #eg of such title is amended by inserting after section #egbh the following new section3 #egbi4 ,limitations on access to certain information1 systems1 and data4 4 7b7 ,deletion of improperly obtained data ,in any action brought against the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs or a recipient agency or other recipient in a court of competent jurisdiction for a violation of subsection 7b7 or 7e7 of section #eeb;a of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 the court may order the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 the recipient agency1 or other recipient to delete records improperly disclosed or maintained in a system of records in violation of the rules and regulations set out pursuant to such section4 7c7 ,removal of connections ,not later than #ae days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall remove any information technology connection between the ,department and any entity not in compliance with the provisions of this section or section #egbi of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by subsection 7a74 #fjb4 ,limitation on application of certain ,executive ,orders relating to ,department of ,government ,efficiency at ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,executive ,order #adaeh 7#ij ,fed4 ,reg4 #hdda2 relating to establishing and implementing the ,president's ,department of ,government ,efficiency71 ,executive ,order #adbaj 7#ij ,fed4 ,reg4 #iffi2 relating to implementing the ,president's ,department of ,government ,efficiency workforce optimization initiative71 ,executive ,order #adbai 7#ij ,fed4 ,reg4 #ajehc2 relating to ensuring lawful governance and implementing the ,president's ,department of ,government ,efficiency deregulatory initiative71 and ,executive ,order #adbbb 7#ij ,fed4 ,reg4 #aajie2 relating to implementing the ,president's ,department of ,government ,efficiency cost efficiency initiative7 shall not apply as it relates to the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs or the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 #fjc4 ,report on compliance with limitation on access to veteran and ,department of ,veterans ,affairs information1 systems1 and data and ,inspector ,general review 7a7 ,report on compliance ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the compliance of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs with the provisions of this section and section #egbi of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #fja7;a71 including with respect to removal of connections pursuant to section #fja7;c7 and the removal of relevant employees and their credentials from all ,department systems1 premises1 and networks consistent with the such sections4 7b7 ,inspector ,general review 7#a7 ,review ,not later than #aj days of after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs shall initiate a review on any instance of unauthorized use or other access of systems described in section #egbi7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #fja7;a71 that has occurred during the period beginning on ,november #f1 #bjbd1 and ending on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,preliminary briefing ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,inspector ,general shall provide the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a preliminary briefing on the findings of the ,inspector ,general with respect to the review initiated pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,final report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,inspector ,general shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a final report on-- 7,a7 the findings of the ,inspector ,general with respect to the review initiated pursuant to paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 such recommendations for administrative or legislative action as the ,inspector ,general may have as a result of such findings4 7#d7 ,contents ,each report submitted under this subsection shall include the following3 7,a7 a detailed description of the unauthorized use or access1 including any actions the individual or individuals carried out2 7,b7 a risk assessment of any threat to privacy1 contracting and financial information1 protected veteran health and disability information1 national security1 cybersecurity1 or the integrity of the applicable system as a result of such unauthorized use or access2 and 7,c7 a detailed description of any stopped benefits1 health care delivery1 or other services of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs during the unauthorized use or access4 ,,vii ,financial needs of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs #gja4 ,definition2 rule of construction 7a7 ,mass contract cancellation defined ,in this title1 the term mass contract cancellation means the termination by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs of-- 7#a7 five or more contracts in a single business day2 or 7#b7 ten or more contracts in a five-business-day period4 7b7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this title shall be construed to prevent the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs from cancelling individual contracts for poor performance1 fraud1 breach of contract1 or other reasons in accordance with applicable law1 including the ,federal ,acquisition ,regulation4 #gjb4 ,report on financial effect of the ,department of ,government ,efficiency on the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than once each quarter until ,september #cj1 #bjbi1 the ,secretary of ,veteran ,affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report detailing the estimated costs associated with or attributed to policy changes prompted by the ,department of ,government ,efficiency or the ,president since ,january #bj1 #bjbe4 7b7 ,costs ,each report required by subsection 7a7 shall account for the following3 7#a7 ,the cancellation of any contracts and potential litigation to resolve related matters4 7#b7 ,the wrongful termination of employees and any settlements4 7#c7 ,the need to hire contracted providers or staff to backfill vacant roles4 7#d7 ,such other matters as the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs considers appropriate4 7c7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress defined ,in this section1 the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 #gjc4 ,reinstatement of contracts and review of mass contract cancellations 7a7 ,reinstatement2 pause2 review 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs-- 7,a7 shall reinstate each contract cancelled in a mass contract cancellation during the period beginning on ,january #bj1 #bjbe1 and ending on the date of the enactment of this ,act2 7,b7 shall pause any mass contract cancellation in progress as of the date of the enactment of this ,act2 and 7,c7 shall not commence any mass contract cancellation unless-- 7i7 each condition described in paragraph 7#b7 is met2 and 7ii7 the requirements of section #gjd are fulfilled4 7#b7 ,conditions ,the conditions described in this paragraph are the following3 7,a7 ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs has reviewed all contracts cancelled or proposed to be cancelled during the period beginning on ,january #bj1 #bjbe and ending on ,april #cj1 #bjbe4 7,b7 ,the ,secretary has submitted to ,congress a report on the reviews conducted under subparagraph 7,a71 including1 for each contract reviewed1 a certification by the ,secretary and career head of each relevant administration or office of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs that canceling the contract has not or will not affect any of the following3 7i7 ,the delivery of health care1 benefits1 and memorial services to veterans4 7ii7 ,safety and cleanliness of any facility of the ,department1 including surgical suites4 7iii7 ,the ability of the ,department to prevent and detect waste1 fraud1 and abuse4 7iv7 ,medical research carried out by the ,department4 7v7 ,cyber and information security4 7vi7 ,planning1 delivery1 and maintenance for infrastructure1 leasing1 and construction4 7vii7 ,homelessness services1 including prevention and housing4 7viii7 ,cancer research and care4 7ix7 ,memorial services4 7x7 ,claims processing and retrieval and digitization of records4 7xi7 ,veteran-directed care4 7xii7 ,payments and program oversight for educational assistance under laws administered by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7xiii7 ,medical supplies4 7xiv7 ,mental health and suicide prevention4 7xv7 ,implementation of the ,sergeant ,first ,class ,heath ,robinson ,honoring our ,promise to ,address ,comprehensive ,toxics ,act of #bjbb 7,public ,law #aag-afh7 7commonly known as the ,,pact ,act74 7xvi7 ,radiology services4 7xvii7 ,pharmacy services4 7xviii7 ,prosthetics services4 7xix7 ,the ,transition ,assistance ,program4 7xx7 ,the ,home ,loan ,guaranty ,program of the ,department4 7xxi7 ,police and security services provided by the ,department4 7xxii7 ,emergency response1 including the ,fourth ,mission of the ,department4 7xxiii7 ,veterans employment4 7xxiv7 ,the disposal of waste1 including hazardous waste4 7xxv7 ,any other critical service1 function1 or operation of the ,department1 including those required by statute4 7,c7 ,the ,secretary has submitted to ,congress a report that sets forth a day-by-day timeline of how the effort to carry out mass contract cancellations was initiated1 led1 and unfolded1 including the following3 7i7 ,an identification of each of the following3 7,i7 ,who directed the effort to begin and the date on which such direction took place4 7,,ii7 ,the parameters of the effort4 7,,iii7 ,whether the ,department was provided with a dollar number target to meet for savings or whether officials of the ,department determined the amount of savings desired4 7,,iv7 ,the search terms used to select contracts for cancellation4 7,v7 ,who led the contract review process4 7,,vi7 ,the specific individuals who reviewed the justifications to defend the merits of each contract4 7,,vii7 ,the data and fact-based criteria used to decide which contracts should be cancelled based on the review of the defense of those contracts prepared by career officials4 7,,viii7 ,whether any contracts were removed from the initial list of contracts to be cancelled prior to that list being finalized4 7,,ix7 ,the criteria used to develop the list of contracts announced for termination on ,march #c1 #bjbe4 7ii7 ,an estimate developed by the ,chief ,financial ,officer or the ,assistant ,secretary for ,management of the ,department of the cost expended by employees of the ,department to respond to data calls and contract justification exercises during the period beginning on ,january #bj1 #bjbe and ending on ,april #cj1 #bjbe4 7iii7 ,a list of contracts cancelled during the period described in clause 7ii7 that were subsequently restored1 and any costs paid by the ,department to the contractor to mitigate the temporary cancellation1 including legal fees4 7iv7 ,for each contract that was cancelled1 an estimated cost for the work to be performed by government personnel and an identification of the part of the ,department those personnel will come from considering the ongoing partial hiring freeze and reduction in force efforts of the ,department1 including those outlined in the ,departmental memorandum dated ,march #d1 #bjbe1 and entitled ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,agency ,reduction in ,force 7,,rif7 and ,reorganization ,plan 7,,arrp74 7b7 ,inspector ,general review ,not later than one year after the date on which the reports required by subsection 7a7 are submitted to ,congress1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department shall-- 7#a7 review the reports for accuracy and completeness2 and 7#b7 submit to ,congress and make publicly available a report that includes-- 7,a7 findings regarding whether the process for mass contract cancellations was consistent with public statements of ,department officials2 7,b7 recommendations for areas for improvement for future contract management and oversight2 and 7,c7 such other matters as the ,inspector ,general considers appropriate1 including actions the ,department may take to improve oversight and use of ,federal resources in order to improve efficiency in contracting by the ,department and prevent and detect waste1 fraud1 and abuse4 #gjd4 ,limitations on mass contract cancellations 7a7 ,submission required 7#a7 ,in general ,after the conditions described in section #gjc7;a77#b7 are met1 if the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs decides to carry out a mass contract cancellation1 the ,secretary shall1 before carrying out such cancellation1 submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives the following3 7,a7 ,a list of contracts proposed for cancellation4 7,b7 ,for each contract included in the list described in subparagraph 7,a71 a certification described in section #gjc7;a77#b77;,b74 7,c7 ,the number of contracts included in such list that are held by a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business4 7,d7 ,a description of how the work proposed to be cancelled would be absorbed by the existing workforce of the ,department or whether hiring of additional staff will be needed to perform that work1 and a cost benefit analysis comparing the contracting and staffing approaches4 7#b7 ,limitation ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall not commence a mass contract cancellation until the date that is #cj days after the date on which the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives receive the submission for such cancellation under paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #g business days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report that includes the following3 7,a7 ,a list of the contracts cancelled or proposed for cancellation developed by the ,department and announced by the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs on ,february #be1 #bjbe1 and1 for each contract included in such list-- 7i7 the justification for the need for the contract1 if submitted1 as written by career employees of the ,department2 and 7ii7 an indication of whether the entity holding the contract is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business4 7,b7 ,a list of contracts announced for cancellation by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs on ,march #c1 #bjbe1 and1 for each contract included in such list-- 7i7 the justification for the need for the contract1 if submitted1 as written by career employees of the ,department2 and 7ii7 an indication of whether the entity holding the contract is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business4 7#b7 ,data fields ,each list described in paragraph 7#a7 shall contain1 at a minimum1 the following fields3 7,a7 ,contract_/,order _/,,piid4 7,b7 ,vendor4 7,c7 ,category of contract using relevant ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system 7,,naics7 terminology4 7,d7 ,contract description4 7,e7 ,date of termination or contract action4 7,f7 ,contracting ,unique ,entity ,identifier4 7,g7 ,the headquarters city and ,state of the vendor4 #gje4 ,charge card program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days before making any change to the charge card program of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 including any change reducing the total number of charge cards authorized for use1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall notify the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives in writing of the proposed change4 7b7 ,elements ,any notification required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,the justification for the change concerned4 7#b7 ,the timeline for the change to occur4 7#c7 ,a description of how the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs intends to monitor for any negative effects on health care or benefits delivery4 7c7 ,sunset ,this section shall terminate on the date on which ,president ,trump is no longer ,president4 ,,viii ,reporting requirements #hja4 ,requirement for ,veterans ,benefits ,administration ,monday ,morning ,workload ,report 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #ec of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #ecbb4 ,monday ,morning ,workload ,report 7a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than once each week1 the ,under ,secretary for ,benefits shall publish on a publicly available website of the ,department1 a report providing a snapshot of the workload of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7b7 ,contents ,each report published pursuant to subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,national totals for pending and backlogged compensation1 pension1 appeals1 and education workloads of the ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#b7 ,national1 district1 and regional office-level data1 disaggregated by the following3 7,a7 ,station of jurisdiction4 7,b7 ,station of origination4 7,c7 ,state4 7,d7 ,national ,work ,queue1 or successor queue1 including-- 7i7 the number of claims pending at stage of the claims life cycle2 and 7ii7 average time claims are pending at each stage of a life cycle4 7#c7 ,data for groups of claims1 disaggregated by national1 district1 and regional office or ,state level1 including non-rating bundle1 entitlement bundle1 award adjustments bundle1 program review bundle1 other bundle1 burial claims1 accrued claims1 appeals1 number of claims and appeals with duty to assist errors1 and such other groups as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7#d7 ,national level data on claim and appeal inventories1 disaggregated by end product code4 7#e7 ,regional office level data on claim and appeal inventories1 disaggregated by traditional aggregate groups4 7#f7 ,national level data on the future volume of work of which the ,under ,secretary is aware4 7#g7 ,average age of claims that have maintained continuous pursuit4 7#h7 ,factors contributing to the increase or decrease in workload and the claims backlog4 7#i7 ,such additional data as the ,under ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,publication requirement ,each report published pursuant to subsection 7a7 in a week shall be published on the ,monday of that week1 except as follows3 7#a7 ,in a case in which the ,monday of the week of publication is a ,federally recognized holiday1 the report shall be published on the ,tuesday of that week4 7#b7 ,in a case in which the ,secretary is publishing the report required by subsection 7a7 more than once in a single week1 any publication after the first publication may be made on any day of the week at the discretion of the ,under ,secretary4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #ec of such title is amended by adding after the item relating to section #ecba the following new item3 #ecbb4 ,monday ,morning ,workload ,report4 4 #hjb4 ,improvements regarding periodic publication of metrics relating to processing of appeals ,section #e of the ,veterans ,appeals ,improvement and ,modernization ,act of #bjag 7,public ,law #aae-ee7 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,a summary of the outcome of appeals under the new appeals system1 including appeals reviewed by the ,board of ,veterans' ,appeals1 disaggregated by-- 7,a7 the type of review2 7,b7 station of origination2 7,c7 type of appeal2 and 7,d7 diagnostic codes4 4 #hjc4 ,publication of wait times for community care from ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall publish on a publicly accessible website of each medical center of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs the wait times for scheduling an appointment for a veteran to receive care from a non-,department provider in the community for that medical center and each of the clinics of the ,department in the catchment area of that medical center4 7b7 ,data ,to be included ,the ,secretary shall include in the publication under subsection 7a7 wait times for the following care3 7#a7 ,primary care4 7#b7 ,specialty care4 7#c7 ,inpatient care4 7#d7 ,mental health care4 7#e7 ,such other types of care as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,update ,the ,secretary shall update the wait times published under subsection 7a7 not less frequently than weekly4 7d7 ,metrics used ,the ,secretary shall calculate the wait times published under subsection 7a7 based on similar metrics as the metrics used to calculate wait times for care at facilities of the ,department4 #hjd4 ,period for ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to respond to questions submitted by members of certain congressional committees 7a7 ,requirement ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall provide-- 7#a7 an answer to a question submitted for the record to the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs by a member of the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate or the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 on or before the date that is #de business days after the date on which the ,department receives the question2 7#b7 an answer to a request for information submitted by a member of the staff of the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate or the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives or a member of either committee1 on or before the date that is #ae business days after the date on which the ,department receives the request from the member of the staff or the member of the committee1 as the case may be2 and 7#c7 an answer to a letter sent by a member of the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate or the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 on or before the date that is #ae business days after the date on which the ,department receives the letter4 7b7 ,delayed responses 7#a7 ,notice required ,if the ,secretary anticipates being unable to provide an answer to a question1 request for information1 or letter described in subsection 7a7 that was submitted to the ,department by the date specified in such subsection1 the ,secretary shall1 before such date1 submit to the member and the relevant ,committee a notice that the ,secretary anticipates being unable to provide the answer by such date4 7#b7 ,contents ,notice submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,a justification for the inability of the ,secretary to meet the deadline set forth in subsection 7a74 7,b7 ,an estimate of when an answer will be provided by the ,secretary to the question1 request for information1 or letter submitted4 7,c7 ,a description of the steps the ,secretary needs to take in order to provide the response1 including steps required to obtain any information required of another ,federal agency4