,,ii  #aai? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #ajfh  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,m>* #ac1 #bjbe,mr4    
,blum5?al 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,s&]s1 ,ms4  
,duckwor?1 ,mrs4 ,gillibr&1 ,mr4        
,gallego1 ,mr4 ,ka9e1 ,ms4 ,ros51 ,ms4  
,cortez ,ma/o1 ,mr4 ,s*iff1 ,mr4        
,m]kley1 ,ms4 ,klobu*>1 ,mr4 ,padilla1  
,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,kelly1 ,mr4 ,book]1 
,mr4 ,he9ri*1 ,mr4 ,:iteh\se1 ,mr4      
,lujn1 ,mr4 ,hick5loop]1 ,mr4 ,wyd51 &  
,mr4 ,van ,holl57 introduc$ ! foll[+    
bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to !    
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs  ,a    
,,bill  ,to am5d title #e & title #ch1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to put vet]an &    
milit>y families fir/ & to provide      
protections = employees1 b5efits1 &     
programs ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort  
title2 table ( cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort title 
,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,putt+        
,vet]ans ,fir/ ,act ( #bjbe4  7b7 ,table
 ( cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts = ?is ,act
 is z foll[s3 ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort title2    

table ( cont5ts4,sec4 #b4               
,def9itions4,,title ,i--,putt+ vet]an & 
milit>y families first,sec4 #aja4       
,re9/atem5t ( memb]s ( ! milit>y        
community :o 7 ,f$]al employees4,sec4   
#ajb4 ,protection = memb]s ( ! milit>y  
community :o 7 ,f$]al employees4,sec4   
#ajc4 ,report on memb]s ( ! milit>y     
community 9 ! civil s]vice4,sec4 #ajd4  
,comptroll] ,g5]al report on milit>y    
community employm5t4,,title             
,,ii--,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs     
employees,subtitle ,a--,protections,sec4
 #bja4 ,limitations on hir+ freezes at  
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4     
#bjb4 ,limitations on clos+ (fices at   
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4     
#bjc4 ,limitations on *anges to telework
 & remote "w at ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs4,sec4 #bjd4 ,limitations on    
*anges to f9al job (f]s at ,dep>tm5t (  
,vet]ans ,affairs4,subtitle             
,b--,reporting,sec4 #bje4 ,notice &     
ju/ification requir$ be=e r$uction 9 =ce
 at ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 

#bjf4 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs     
p]sonnel report+4,sec4 #bjg4 ,dep>tm5t (
 ,vet]ans ,affairs rese>* p]sonnel      
report+4,sec4 #bjh4 ,prohibition on     
individuals s]v+ z ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs f also s]v+ z heads ( o!r      
,f$]al ag5cies4,sec4 #bji4 ,(fice (     
,special ,c\nsel4,sec4 #baj4 ,(fice (   
,gov]nm5t ,e?ics4,subtitle ,c--,re/or+  
acc\ntability & services,sec4 #baa4     
,report on effects ( remov+ ess5tial    
programs1 (fices1 & s]vices f ,dep>tm5t 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #bab4 ,re/or+ 
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs programs1 
(fices1 & s]vices affect$ s9ce ! beg9n+ 
( ! second ,trump ,adm9i/ration4,,title 
,,iii--,protections = civil             
servants,sec4 #cja4 ,nom9ations to ,m]it
 ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d4,sec4 #cjb4  
,modifications to appeal rights =       
probation>y employees4,sec4 #cjc4       
,au?ority to retract (f]s & contracts   
relat+ to def]r$ resignations4,sec4     
#cjd4 ,limitation on *anges to          
competitive s]vice categories (         

positions4,,title ,,iv--,m5tal heal? c>e
 = civil servants,sec4 #dja4 ,m5tal     
heal? s]vices4,sec4 #djb4 ,m5tal heal?  
s]vices = curr5t civil s]vants4,,title  
,v--,employm5t assi/ance = civil        
servants,sec4 #eja4 ,employm5t          
assi/ance4,sec4 #ejb4 ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel
 ,managem5t & ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor "w on
 employm5t opportunities = memb]s ( !   
milit>y community4,,title               
,,vi--,dep>tm5t ( ,gov]nm5t             
,efficiency,sec4 #fja4 ,limitation on   
access to vet]an & dep>tm5t in=mation1  
sy/ems1 & data4,sec4 #fjb4 ,limitation  
on application ( c]ta9 ,executive ,ord]s
 relat+ to ,dep>tm5t ( ,gov]nm5t        
,effici5cy at ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs4,sec4 #fjc4 ,report on         
compliance ) limitation on access to    
vet]an & ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  
in=mation1 sy/ems1 & data & ,inspector  
,g5]al review4,,title ,,vii--,f9ancial  
ne$s ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans           
,affairs,sec4 #gja4 ,def9ition2 rule (  
con/ruction4,sec4 #gjb4 ,report on      

f9ancial effect ( ! ,dep>tm5t (         
,gov]nm5t ,effici5cy on ! ,dep>tm5t (   
,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #gjc4           
,re9/atem5t ( contracts & review ( mass 
contract cancellations4,sec4 #gjd4      
,limitations on mass contract           
cancellations4,sec4 #gje4 ,*>ge c>d     
program ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs4,,title ,,viii--,report+       
requirements,sec4 #hja4 ,requirem5t =   
,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration ,monday 
,morn+ ,workload ,report4,sec4 #hjb4    
,improvem5ts reg>d+ p]iodic publication 
( metrics relat+ to process+ (          
appeals4,sec4 #hjc4 ,publication ( wait 
times = community c>e f ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs4,sec4 #hjd4 ,p]iod =  
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to respond
 to que/ions submitt$ by memb]s ( c]ta9 
congressional committees4  #b4          
,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,ag5cy ,! 
t]m ag5cy has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9      
section #cccj;d ( title #e1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code4  7#b7 ,c>egiv] ,! t]m     
c>egiv] means an adult family memb] or  

o!r individual :o has a significant     
relation%ip )1 & :o provides a broad    
range ( assi/ance to1 a w\nd$1 ill1     
injur$1 or disabl$ memb] ( ! ,arm$ ,=ces
 or vet]an or a dep5d5t ( su* a memb] or
 vet]an ) a *ronic or o!r heal?         
condition1 disability1 or functional    
limitation4  7#c7 ,civil s]vice ,! t]m  
civil s]vice has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9   
section #baja ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code4  7#d7 ,demotion ,! t]m demotion  
means a r$uction 9 grade 7z def9$ 9     
section #geaa7;a7 ( title #e1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code74  7#e7 ,memb] ( ! arm$    
=ces ,! t]m memb] ( ! arm$ =ces has !   
mean+ giv5 t t]m 9 #cae4fab7;b77#d7 (   
title #e1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations1  
or any successor !reto4  7#f7 ,milit>y  
sp\se ,! t]m milit>y sp\se means-- 7,a7 
! husb& or wife ( a memb] ( ! arm$ =ces2
  7,b7 ! husb& or wife ( a retir$1      
totally disabl$1 or sep>at$ memb] ( !   
arm$ =ces2 or  7,c7 ! wid[ or wid[] ( a 
memb] ( ! arm$ =ces kill$ :ile p]=m+    
active duty or :o di$ f a               

s]vice-connect$ injury or illness4  7#g7
 ,removal ,! t]m removal means remov+ an
 individual f ! civil s]vice4  7#h7     
,res]ve compon5t ,! t]m res]ve compon5t 
has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9 section #aja ( 
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7#i7   
,susp5sion ,! t]m susp5sion means !     
plac+ an individual 9 a tempor>y /atus  
)\t duties & pay = a p]iod ( long] ?an  
#g days4  7#aj7 ,survivor ,! t]m        
survivor means a family memb] ( a memb] 
( ! arm$ =ces or vet]an :o di$ :ile on  
active duty or aft] milit>y retirem5t or
 ( a s]vice-connect$ injury or illness4 
7#aa7 ,vet]an  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z  
provid$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 ! t]m vet]an
 means a p]son :o s]v$ on active duty z 
a memb] ( ! arm$ =ces1 reg>dless ( l5g? 
( s]vice1 & :o 0 dis*>g$ or releas$     
!refrom4  7,b7 ,exclusions ,! t]m vet]an
 does n include a p]son :o-- 7i7 receiv$
 a di%onorable dis*>ge f ! ,arm$ ,=ces2 
or  7ii7 0 dis*>g$ or dismiss$ f ! ,arm$
 ,=ces by reason ( ! s5t5ce ( a g5]al   
c\rt-m>tial4  ,i ,putt+ vet]an & milit>y

 families fir/  #aja4 ,re9/atem5t (     
memb]s ( ! milit>y community :o 7 ,f$]al
 employees  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,any removal1  
demotion1 or susp5sion ( a vet]an1      
milit>y sp\se1 c>egiv]1 survivor1 or    
memb] ( a res]ve compon5t :o 0 s]v+ 9 a 
position 9 ! civil s]vice t occurr$ dur+
 ! p]iod beg9n+ on ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe1 &
 end+ on ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act   
%all h no =ce or effect4  7b7 ,back pay 
& resumption ( b5efits ,any p]son ^:    
removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion is r5d]$
 )\t =ce or effect "u subsection 7a7    
%all-- 7#a7 receive back pay = any pay n
 receiv$ by ! p]son dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ 
on ! date ( ! removal1 susp5sion1 or    
demotion & end+ on ! date ( enactm5t (  
?is ,act2 &  7#b7 h b5efits re/or$1     
retroactive to ! date ( ! removal1      
demotion1 or susp5sion4  7c7 ,election  
,to resign ,at ! election ( a p]son ^:  
removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion is r5d]$
 )\t =ce or effect "u subsection 7a71 at
 any "t aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is    
,act1 ! p]son may resign f ! position ( 

! p]son 9 ! civil s]vice1 :i* %all n    
affect ! obligation to provide back pay 
or ! resumption ( b5efits ) respect to !
 p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( ! removal1    
demotion1 or susp5sion & end+ on ! date 
( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #ajb4           
,protection = memb]s ( ! milit>y        
community :o 7 ,f$]al employees  7a7 ,9 
g5]al ,any vet]an1 milit>y sp\se1       
c>egiv]1 survivor1 or memb] ( a res]ve  
compon5t :o is 9 a position 9 ! civil   
s]vice may n be remov$1 demot$1 or      
susp5d$-- 7#a7 z a "p ( a gr\p ( m ?an  
#e p]sons :o are be+ remov$1 demot$1 or 
susp5d$ on ! same day by ! ag5cy employ+
 ! p]sons2  7#b7 )\t provid+ a          
notification to ! direct sup]visor ( !  
vet]an1 milit>y sp\se1 c>egiv]1         
survivor1 or memb] ( a res]ve compon5t n
 less ?an #aj bus9ess days be=e !       
removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion1 unless 
! sup]visor advises or approves !       
removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion2  7#c7  
on ! basis ( p]=mance1 unless ! vet]an1 
milit>y sp\se1 c>egiv]1 survivor1 or    

memb] ( a res]ve compon5t has receiv$ at
 lea/ #a p]=mance rat+ at or bel[ level 
#b or m9imally satisfactory 7or a simil>
 equival5t level7 dur+ ! #a-ye> p]iod   
end+ on ! date ( ! removal1 demotion1 or
 susp5sion2 or  7#d7 if ! removal1      
demotion1 or susp5sion w\ld result 9 a  
great] ?an #ej p]c5t vacancy rate = !   
(fice or position ( ! vet]an1 milit>y   
sp\se1 c>egiv]1 survivor1 or memb] ( a  
res]ve compon5t or a significant        
r$uction or elim9ation ( ! duties be+   
c>ri$ out by ! vet]an1 milit>y sp\se1   
c>egiv]1 survivor1 or memb] ( a res]ve  
compon5t1 )\t approval by ! direct      
sup]visor ( ! vet]an1 milit>y sp\se1    
c>egiv]1 survivor1 or memb] ( a res]ve  
compon5t4  7b7 ,review ,n lat] ?an #aj  
days aft] ! date ( ! removal1 demotion1 
or susp5sion ( any vet]an1 milit>y      
sp\se1 c>egiv]1 survivor1 or memb] ( a  
res]ve compon5t 9 a position ! civil    
s]vice1 ! removal1 demotion1 or         
susp5sion %all be ref]r$ to ! ,m]it     
,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d or ! ,(fice ( 

,special ,c\nsel1 unless ! individual   
agrees to waive ! "r to su* a ref]ral4  
#ajc4 ,report on memb]s ( ! milit>y     
community 9 ! civil s]vice ,n lat] ?an  
#ij days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is   
,act1 & n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! end (
 ea* fiscal ye> !reaft]1 ea* ag5cy %all 
submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs1 ! ,committee on ,arm$         
,s]vices1 ! ,committee on               
,appropriations1 & ! ,committee on      
,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs
 ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' 
,affairs1 ! ,committee on ,arm$         
,s]vices1 ! ,committee on               
,appropriations1 & ! ,committee on      
,homel& ,security ( ! ,h\se (           
,repres5tatives ! foll[+ in=mation3 7#a7
 ,! numb] ( vet]ans1 milit>y sp\ses1    
c>egiv]s1 survivors1 & memb]s ( a res]ve
 compon5t :o1 dur+ ! prior fiscal ye>-- 
7,a7 7 hir$ by ! ag5cy1 disaggregat$ by 
^? :o 7 s]v+ at a diff]5t ag5cy         
imm$iately be=e be+ hir$ by ! ag5cy & ^?
 hir$ f outside ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t2     

7,b7 sep>at$ f s]vice ) ! ag5cy1        
disaggregat$ by ^? :o 7 hir$ by ano!r   
ag5cy & ^? :o 7 n hir$ by ano!r ag5cy2  
or  7,c7 7 remov$ by ! ag5cy4  7#b7 ,!  
numb] ( vet]ans1 milit>y sp\ses1        
c>egiv]s1 survivors1 & memb]s ( a res]ve
 compon5t :o1 z ( ! end ( ! prior fiscal
 ye>1 7 employ$ by ! ag5cy4  7#c7 ,data 
reg>d+ any direct$ ef=ts or inc5tives   
utiliz$ to recruit or reta9 vet]ans1    
milit>y sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1 survivors1 &  
memb]s ( a res]ve compon5t dur+ ! prior 
fiscal ye>4  7#d7 ,= ! second report "u 
?is section1 & ea* report !reaft]1 data 
on *anges to ! numb] ( vet]ans1 milit>y 
sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1 survivors1 or memb]s (
 a res]ve compon5t hir$ by1 sep>at$ f1  
or 7 employ$ by ! ag5cy1 z comp>$ to !  
mo/ rec5t report4  #ajd4 ,comptroll]    
,g5]al report on milit>y community      
employm5t ,n lat] ?an ,april #a1 #bjbg1 
! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates  
%all submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'
 ,affairs1 ! ,committee on              
,appropriations1 ! ,committee on ,arm$  

,s]vices1 & ! ,committee on ,homel&     
,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs1 ! ,committee on               
,appropriations1 ! ,committee on ,arm$  
,s]vices1 & ! ,committee on ,homel&     
,security ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & 
publicly issue a report reg>d+ employm5t
 ( milit>y community memb]s by ! ,f$]al 
,gov]nm5t1 :i* %all-- 7#a7 include a    
review ( employm5t ( vet]ans1 milit>y   
sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1 survivors1 & memb]s ( 
a res]ve compon5t by ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t 
dur+ fiscal ye>s #bjbd & #bjbe2  7#b7   
review ! p]iod ( s]vice 9 positions 9 ! 
civil s]vice by vet]ans1 milit>y sp\ses1
 c>egiv]s1 survivors1 & memb]s ( a      
res]ve compon5t & ! rate ( removal1     
susp5sion1 or demotion ( vet]ans1       
milit>y sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1 survivors1 &  
memb]s ( a res]ve compon5t f positions 9
 ! civil s]vice1 z comp>$ to o!r        
individuals 9 positions 9 ! civil       
s]vice2 &  7#c7 describe any *anges 9   
employm5t ( vet]ans1 milit>y sp\ses1    

c>egiv]s1 survivors1 & memb]s ( a res]ve
 compon5t across ag5cies betwe5 ! end ( 
fiscal ye> #bjbd & ! end ( fiscal ye>   
#bjbe4  ,,ii ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs employees  ,a ,protections     
#bja4 ,limitations on hir+ freezes at   
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7      
,limitation ,nei!r a position nor an    
employee at ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs may be subject to a hir+       
freeze1 hir+ prohibition1 or simil>     
policy-- 7#a7 unless ! ,secret>y        
det]m9es t unfill$ positions or lack (  
/aff subject to su* a freeze w n result 
9 increas$ co/s to ! ,dep>tm5t2 &  7#b7 
until ! date t is #ij days aft] ! date t
 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs submits
 a report reg>d+ ! hir+ freeze pursuant 
to subsection 7b74  7b7 ,report ,be=e   
issu+ any hir+ freeze1 hir+ prohibition1
 or simil> policy1 ! ,secret>y (        
,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to !      
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  

report on ! hir+ /rategy ( ! ,secret>y &
 budget>y pro( t su* a freeze1 hir+     
prohibition1 or simil> policy w n cause 
increas$ co/s to ! ,dep>tm5t4  #bjb4    
,limitations on clos+ (fices at         
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7      
,prohibition ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs may n remove1 close1 or realign
 any (fice or program ( ! ,dep>tm5t (   
,vet]ans ,affairs except pursuant to a  
provision ( law t specifically au?orizes
 su* removal1 closure1 or realignm5t4   
7b7 ,notification requir$ ,:5ev] !      
,secret>y removes1 closes1 or realigns  
an (fice or program ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 !    
,secret>y %all1 n lat] ?an #a ye> be=e !
 date on :i* ! ,secret>y comm5ces su*   
removal1 closure1 or realignm5t1 submit 
to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( 
! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'    
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives    
notice ( ! int5t ( ! ,secret>y to c>ry  
out su* removal1 closure1 or realignm5t4
  7c7 ,assi/ance = displac$ employees ,9
 any case 9 :i* an employee ( !         

,dep>tm5t is displac$ by ! removal1     
closure1 or realignm5t ( an (fice or    
program ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! ,secret>y %all 
make a significant ef=t to f9d ano!r    
employm5t opportunity = ! employee )9 ! 
,dep>tm5t4  #bjc4 ,limitations on *anges
 to telework & remote "w at ,dep>tm5t ( 
,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,notice requir$  
,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs may n  
take any action to *ange to a telework  
or remote "w policy ( ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs until aft] ! date t is
 #a ye> aft] ! date on :i* ! ,secret>y--
 7#a7 submits to ! ,committee on        
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & !       
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives notice ( ! int5t
 ( ! ,secret>y to take su* action or    
make su* *ange2 &  7#b7 transmits notice
 ( su* int5t to ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,labor   
organizations t repres5t employees ( !  
,dep>tm5t4  7,b7 ,! employees ( !       
,dep>tm5t :o w\ld be affect$ by su*     
action or *ange4  7b7 ,en=cem5t ,a      
violation ( subsection 7a7 aga9/ an     

employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans       
,affairs %all be treat$1 "u section #eje
 ( ! ,rehabilitation ,act ( #aigc 7#bi  
,u4,s4,c4 #gid;a71 z a violation (      
section #eja ( ! ,rehabilitation ,act ( 
#aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gia7 aga9/ an     
aggriev$ employee describ$ 9 subsection 
7a7 ( t section4  #bjd4 ,limitations on 
*anges to f9al job (f]s at ,dep>tm5t (  
,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,limitations ,!  
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs may n     
resc9d or make any *ange to a f9al (f] (
 employm5t ) ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs = any reason t is n directly   
relat$ to an action or quality ( !      
individual to :om ! (f] ( employm5t 0   
ext5d$4  7b7 ,rem$ies ,a rescission or  
*ange made 9 violation ( subsection 7a7 
may be appeal$ to ! ,m]it ,sy/ems       
,protection ,bo>d 9 accordance ) !      
proc$ures "u section #ggja ( title #e1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  ,b ,report+  #bje4
 ,notice & ju/ification requir$ be=e    
r$uction 9 =ce at ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans  
,affairs  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj 

days be=e comm5c+ any ef=t to c>ry out a
 r$uction 9 =ce1 or simil> action "u a  
diff]5t "n1 at ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans   
,affairs1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs %all submit a ju/ification = ! 
r$uction 9 =ce or simil> action to !    
foll[+3 7#a7 ,! ,committee on ,vet]ans' 
,affairs & ! ,committee on              
,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate4  7#b7 ,!    
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & !    
,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se 
( ,repres5tatives4  7#c7 ,! labor       
organizations t repres5t employees ( !  
,dep>tm5t4  7#d7 ,ea* employee ( !      
,dep>tm5t :o w be affect$ by ! r$uction 
9 =ce or simil> action4  7b7 ,cont5ts   
,ea* ju/ification submitt$ pursuant to  
subsection 7a7 = a r$uction 9 =ce or    
simil> action %all include ! foll[+3    
7#a7 ,= ea* employee or position t w be 
t]m9at$ pursuant to ! r$uction 9 =ce or 
simil> action1 ! foll[+3 7,a7           
,docum5tation & analysis us$ to det]m9e 
t ! t]m9ation w n r$uce or negatively   
affect deliv]y ( c>e or b5efits =       

vet]ans4  7,b7 ,docum5tation & analysis 
us$ to det]m9e t ! t]m9ation w n co/ !  
,dep>tm5t or ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t m ?an if
 ! ,dep>tm5t 7 to reta9 ! position or   
employee4  7,c7 ,co/ e/imate1 /rategic  
plan1 analysis1 & any o!r relevant      
in=mation or docum5tation ! ,secret>y   
us$ to det]m9e ! ne$ to t]m9ate !       
employee or position4  7#b7 ,! plann$   
timel9e = ! r$uction 9 =ce or simil>    
action & ! me?odology ! ,secret>y w use 
to track ! actual effects ( ! r$uction 9
 =ce or simil> action4  7#c7 ,options = 
*ang+ ! plans ( ! ,secret>y & a /rategy 
%\ld an unexpect$ negative impact to    
vet]ans occur f ! plann$ actions4  #bjf4
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs p]sonnel 
report+  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #eje ( ! 
,john ,s4 ,mc,cain ,,iii1 ,daniel ,k4   
,akaka1 & ,samuel ,r4 ,johnson ,,va     
,ma9ta9+ ,int]nal ,sy/ems & ,/r5g!n+    
,integrat$ ,outside ,networks ,act (    
#bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ahb2 #ch       
,u4,s4,c4 #cja note7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9  
subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#a7-- 

7i7 9 ! matt] be=e subp>agraph 7,a71 by 
/rik+ in=mation1 & all t foll[s ?r\gh   
facility3 & ins]t+ in=mation32  7ii7 9  
subp>agraph 7,b7-- 7,i7 by ins]t+ 7i7   
be=e ,! numb]2 &  7,,ii7 by add+ at !   
end ! foll[+ new clause3  7ii7          
,in=mation made available "u ?is        
subp>agraph %all be updat$ n less       
frequ5tly ?an once ea* qu>t] to acc\nt =
 delays 9 data process+ & %all reflect !
 mo/ rec5tly available data4  2  7iii7 9
 subp>agraph 7,c71 by /rik+ vacancies1  
by occupation4 & ins]t+ positions       
curr5tly und]go+ a recruitm5t action1   
disaggregat$ by occupation & by /age (  
recruitm5t1 includ+ ,manag] ,reque/     
,initiation ,/age1 recruitm5t /age1     
onbo>d+ /age1 & wait+ to />t /age1 or   
successor /ages if modifi$42  7iv7 9    
subp>agraph 7,e77iii71 by /rik+ pot5tial
 hires or2 &  7v7 by add+ at ! end !    
foll[+ new subp>agraph3  7,f7 ,! numb] (
 positions vacat$ dur+ ! qu>t] = :i* !  
,dep>tm5t has n initiat$ a recruitm5t   
action1 includ+ ! date ! position 0     

vacat$1 disaggregat$ by occupation4  2  
7,b7 by r$esignat+ p>agraph 7#e7 z      
p>agraph 7#f72  7,c7 by ins]t+ aft]     
p>agraph 7#d7 ! foll[+ new p>agraph     
7#e73  7#e7 ,display ( in=mation ,!     
display ( in=mation made publicly       
available on an int]net website ( !     
,dep>tm5t pursuant to p>agraph 7#a71    
%all be disaggregat$-- 7,a7 by          
dep>tm5tal compon5t2  7,b7 9 ! case (   
in=mation relat+ to ,vet]ans ,heal?     
,adm9i/ration positions1 by m$ical      
facility2 &  7,c7 9 ! case ( in=mation  
relat+ to ,vet]ans ,b5efits             
,adm9i/ration positions1 by regional    
(fice4  2 &  7,d7 9 p>agraph 7#f71 z    
r$esignat$ by subp>agraph 7,b71 by /rik+
 %all & all t foll[s & ins]t+ 8%all--   
7,a7 review ! adm9i/ration ( ! website  
requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a72  7,b7 develop 
recomm5dations relat+ to ! improvem5t ( 
su* adm9i/ration2 &  7,c7 submit to !   
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  

report conta9+-- 7i7 ! f9d+s ( !        
,inspector ,g5]al ) respect to ! mo/    
rec5t review conduct$ "u subp>agraph    
7,a72 &  7ii7 ! recomm5dations mo/      
rec5tly develop$ "u subp>agraph 7,b74  2
 &  7#b7 by am5d+ subsection 7b7 to read
 z foll[s3  7b7 ,annual report ,ea* ye>1
 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ,congress an
 annual report t includes ! foll[+3 7#a7
 ,a description ( ! /eps ! ,dep>tm5t is 
tak+ to a*ieve full /aff+ capacity4     
7#b7 ,a description ( ! actions !       
,dep>tm5t is tak+ to improve ! onbo>d   
timel9e = facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t1     
includ+-- 7,a7 9 ! case ( facilities ( !
 ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration1 =       
facilities = :i* ! duration ( ! onbo>d+ 
process exce$s ! metrics laid out 9 !   
,"t to ,hire ,model ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal? 
,adm9i/ration1 or successor model2 &    
7,b7 9 ! case ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits     
,adm9i/ration1 = regional (fices t exce$
 ! "t-to-hire t>get ( ! ,(fice (        
,p]sonnel ,managem5t4  7#c7 ,! am\nt (  
additional funds necess>y to enable !   

,dep>tm5t to rea* full /aff+ capacity4  
7#d7 ,su* recomm5dations = legislative  
or adm9i/rative action z ! ,secret>y may
 h 9 ord] to a*ieve full /aff+ capacity 
at ! ,dep>tm5t4  4  7b7 ,effective date 
,! am5dm5ts made by subsection 7a7 %all 
take effect on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is
 ,act & %all apply ) respect to ! fir/  
update "u section #eje7;a77#c7 ( su*    
,act beg9n+ aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t (  
?is ,act & ea* update !reaft]4  #bjg4   
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs rese>*    
p]sonnel report+ ,n lat] ?an #cj days   
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !  
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
submit to ,congress a report t          
includes-- 7#a7 ! numb] ( ,dep>tm5t (   
,vet]ans ,affairs rese>* employees :o 7 
t]m9at$ f ! ,dep>tm5t s9ce ,janu>y #bj1 
#bjbe2  7#b7 ! numb] ( ,dep>tm5t rese>* 
employees :o _h _! t]m limits %ort5$    
s9ce ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe2 &  7#c7 a li/ (
 ! rese>* /udies ! employees describ$ 9 
p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b7 7 work+ on4  #bjh4
 ,prohibition on individuals s]v+ z     

,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs f also    
s]v+ z heads ( o!r ,f$]al ag5cies  7a7  
,9 g5]al ,section #cjc ( title #ch1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by 
/rik+ ,!re is & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7a7 ,9
 g5]al ,!re is  2 &  7#b7 by add+ at !  
end ! foll[+ new subsections3  7b7      
,prohibition  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,not)/&+ any
 o!r provision ( law1 includ+ any       
provision ( sub*apt] ,,iii ( *apt] #cc (
 title #e1 an individual :o is s]v+ z ! 
,secret>y1 reg>dless ( :e!r su* s]vice  
is pursuant to an appo9tm5t made by & ) 
! advice & cons5t ( ! ,s5ate or su*     
s]vice is 9 an act+ capacity1 may n s]ve
 z ! head ( any o!r ,executive ag5cy1   
ei!r pursuant to an appo9tm5t made by & 
) ! advice & cons5t ( ! ,s5ate or 9 an  
act+ capacity1 :ile s]v+ z ! ,secret>y4 
7#b7 ,effect ( noncompliance  7,a7      
,removal f (fice ,an individual s]v+ z !
 ,secret>y :o is n 9 compliance )       
subsection 7a7 is h]eby remov$ f !      
position ( ,secret>y4  7,b7 ,prohibition
 on c]ta9 actions ,an individual remov$ 

f ! position ( ,secret>y by subp>agraph 
7,a7 may n issue ord]s1 guidance1 direct
 any p or res\rces1 or 9 any o!r mann]  
c>ry out any ( ! functions ( !          
,secret>y4  7,c7 ,treatm5t ( ord]s1     
guidance1 & direction ,any ord]1        
guidance1 or direction ( p or res\rces  
or any o!r lead]%ip action issu$ by an  
individual :o 0 remov$ f ! position (   
,secret>y by subp>agraph 7,a7 & t 0     
issu$ on or aft] ! date ( su* removal   
%all be consid]$ unlawful4  7c7         
,def9ition ( ,executive ag5cy ,9 ?is    
section1 ! t]m ,executive ag5cy has !   
mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 section #aje (     
title #e & includes ! ,(fice ( ,gov]nm5t
 ,e?ics & ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel1 b
 does n include any advisory committee  
7z su* t]m is def9$ 9 section #ajja (   
title #e74  4  7b7 ,effective date      
,subsections 7b7 & 7c7 ( section #cjc ( 
su* title1 z add$ by subsection 7a71    
%all take effect on ! date t is #g days 
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4    
7c7 ,report  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an  

#cj days aft] ! date specifi$ 9         
subsection 7b71 ! mo/ s5ior c>e]        
individual 9 ! ,(fice ( ! ,g5]al ,c\nsel
 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all 
submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives a report on compliance )
 ! provisions ( ?is ,act4  7#b7 ,cont5ts
 ,! report submitt$ pursuant to p>agraph
 7#a7 %all include ! foll[+3 7,a7       
,docum5tation z to :e!r ! ,secret>y (   
,vet]ans ,affairs is 9 compliance )     
section #cjc7;b7 ( title #ch1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a74 
7,b7 ,a description ( ! proc$ures 9     
effect to ree/abli% firewalls1 conflict 
( int]e/ protections1 & indep5d5ce      
requirem5ts at ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans   
,affairs4  7,c7 ,an affirmation t !     
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs w comply )
 & respect ! indep5d5t ov]sight &       
inve/igative p[] ( ! ,(fice ( ,special  
,c\nsel1 ! ,(fice ( ,gov]nm5t ,e?ics1 ! 
,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d1 !      

,gov]nm5t ,acc\ntability ,(fice1 !      
,(fice ( ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t
 ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 ! ,f$]al ,labor   
,relations ,bo>d1 & all o!r relevant    
inve/igatory & audit bodies4  #bji4     
,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel ,section      
#abaa7;b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ ! six? s5t5ce &
 ins]t+ ! foll[+3 ,! ,special ,c\nsel1  
includ+ any individual s]v+ z ! ,special
 ,c\nsel 9 an act+ capacity1 may n hold 
ano!r (fice or position 9 ! ,gov]nm5t ( 
! ,unit$ ,/ates :ile s]v+ z ! ,special  
,c\nsel4 ,not)/&+ any provision (       
sub*apt] ,,iii ( *apt] #cc1 if !        
,special ,c\nsel dies1 resigns1 or is   
o!rwise unable to p]=m ! functions &    
duties ( ! (fice1 ! mo/ s5ior c>e]      
attorney s]v+ 9 ! ,(fice ( ,g5]al       
,c\nsel ( ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel1 z
 ( ! date ( ! dea?1 resignation1 or     
beg9n+ ( inability to s]ve1 %all s]ve z 
! ,special ,c\nsel until an individual  
is appo9t$ by ! ,presid5t z ! ,special  
,c\nsel 9 accordance ) ?is subsection44 

#baj4 ,(fice ( ,gov]nm5t ,e?ics ,section
 #acaba7;b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates   
,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ ,!re    
%all & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#a7 ,9 g5]al  
,!re %all  2 &  7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! 
foll[+3  7#b7 ,removal or transf] ,!    
,director may only be remov$ f (fice by 
! ,presid5t = ineffici5cy1 neglect (    
duty1 or malfeasance 9 (fice4  7#c7     
,re/riction on hold+ o!r (fices ,!      
,director1 includ+ any individual s]v+ z
 ! ,director 9 an act+ capacity1 may n  
hold ano!r (fice or position 9 !        
,gov]nm5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates :ile s]v+ z 
! ,director4  7#d7 ,abs5ce or           
unavailability ( ,director ,not)/&+ any 
provision ( sub*apt] ,,iii ( *apt] #cc1 
if ! ,director dies1 resigns1 or is     
o!rwise unable to p]=m ! function &     
duties ( ! (fice1 ! mo/ s5ior c>e]      
individual s]v+ 9 ! (fice ( ! ,*ief (   
,/aff ( ! ,(fice ( ,gov]nm5t ,e?ics1 z (
 ! date ( ! dea?1 resignation1 or beg9n+
 ( inability to s]ve1 %all s]ve z !     
,director until an individual is appo9t$

 by ! ,presid5t z ! ,director 9         
accordance ) ?is subsection4  4  ,c     
,re/or+ acc\ntability & s]vices  #baa4  
,report on effects ( remov+ ess5tial    
programs1 (fices1 & s]vices f ,dep>tm5t 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,report requir$
 ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date ( !   
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y %all   
submit to ,congress a report on !       
effects ( remov+ ess5tial programs1     
(fices1 & s]vices f ! ,dep>tm5t (       
,vet]ans ,affairs dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on
 ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe1 & end+ on ! date ( 
! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7b7 ,cont5ts ,! 
report submitt$ pursuant to subsection  
7a7 %all include1 = ! p]iod cov]$ by !  
report1 ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,a description ( 
all (fices or programs ei!r reorganiz$1 
r5am$1 %ut d[n1 or r$uc$4  7#b7         
,position titles ( individuals ei!r     
t]m9at$ or plac$ on leave1 disaggregat$ 
by :i* (fice !y 7 h\s$ 94  7#c7 ,a li/ (
 all websites1 pamphlets1 fli]s1        
reports1 photographs1 or o!r public-fac+
 docum5ts remov$4  7#d7 ,a detail$      

description ( h[ accessibility (        
,dep>tm5t facilities & websites has be5 
affect$1 = bo? vet]ans & ,dep>tm5t      
employees4  7#e7 ,a li/ ( any ,dep>tm5t 
rese>* projects cancell$ or po/pon$4    
7#f7 ,a li/ ( all ,dep>tm5t             
employee-fac+ docum5ts or tra9+s remov$ 
f intranet sites4  7#g7 ,a li/ ( all    
ev5ts cancell$ or po/pon$ by !          
,dep>tm5t4  7#h7 ,= ea* ( p>agraphs 7#a7
 ?r\gh 7#g71 a ju/ification = :y ea*    
action 0 tak54  #bab4 ,re/or+ ,dep>tm5t 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs programs1 (fices1 & 
s]vices affect$ s9ce ! beg9n+ ( ! second
 ,trump ,adm9i/ration  7a7 ,re/or+      
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7#a7 ,9  
g5]al ,any removal1 demotion1 or        
susp5sion ( a ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs employee dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on
 ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe1 & end+ on ! date ( 
! enactm5t ( ?is ,act %all be consid]$  
null & void4  7#b7 ,backpay & resumption
 ( b5efits ,a p]son subject to a        
removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion describ$
 9 p>agraph 7#a7 %all be eligible =     

backpay & resumption ( b5efits4  7#c7   
,resignations ,a p]son describ$ 9       
p>agraph 7#b7 :o does n wi% to be re/or$
 to a position f :i* ! p]son 0 remov$1  
demot$1 or susp5d$ z describ$ 9 p>agraph
 7#a7 may resign f ! position z !y s    
*oose4  7b7 ,publication ( c]ta9        
mat]ials & websites ,! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs %all comm5ce publi%+  
all mat]ials & websites describ$ 9      
section #baa7;b74  7c7 ,nullification ( 
cancellation or po/ponem5t ( c]ta9      
rese>* projects ,! cancellation or      
po/ponem5t ( any rese>* projects dur+ ! 
p]iod beg9n+ on ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe1 &   
end+ on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act  
%all be consid]$ null & void4  7d7      
,)drawal ( c]ta9 directive relat+ to    
flags ,! ,secret>y %all )draw ! ,febru>y
 #ab1 #bjbe directive ( ! ,secret>y     
entitl$ ,public ,display or ,depiction (
 ,flags ?r\gh\t ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs 7,,va7 ,facilities4  ,,iii     
,protections = civil s]vants  #cja4     
,nom9ations to ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection

 ,bo>d ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #ab ( title 
#e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ 9     
section #abjb1 by add+ at ! end !       
foll[+3  7e7 ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] !
 date on :i* a vacancy on ! ,m]it       
,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d occurs 7:e!r  
be=e or at ! end ( a t]m ( (fice ( a    
memb]71 ! ,presid5t %all appo9t an      
individual to fill t vacancy4  4  #cjb4 
,modifications to appeal rights =       
probation>y employees ,section #ggja7;a7
 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is    
am5d$1 9 ! matt] prec$+ p>agraph 7#a71  
by ins]t+ 7includ+1 not)/&+ any o!r     
provision ( law1 an employee :o is 9 a  
probation>y p]iod74  #cjc4 ,au?ority to 
retract (f]s & contracts relat+ to      
def]r$ resignations  7a7 ,au?ority ,any 
(f] or contract relat+ to def]r$        
resignation commitm5t accept$ or ent]$  
into by an employee 9 a position 9 !    
civil s]vice may be nullifi$ by !       
employee 7)\t p5alty7 at any "t until ! 
close ( bus9ess on ! la/ day ( !        
employm5t ( ! employee by ! ag5cy       

employ+ ! employee4  7b7 ,rem$y ,a      
violation ( subsection 7a7 may be       
appeal$ to ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection  
,bo>d 9 accordance ) ! proc$ures "u     
section #ggja ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code1 or *all5g$ 9 a c\rt ( compet5t   
jurisdiction4  #cjd4 ,limitation on     
*anges to competitive s]vice categories 
( positions  7a7 ,limitation ,a position
 9 ! civil s]vice may n be %ift$1       
realign$1 or remov$ f a competitive     
s]vice category to an except$ s]vice    
category-- 7#a7 unless-- 7,a7 ! employee
 :o curr5t fills ! position agrees to   
su* a %ift2 or  7,b7 ! position is      
vacant2 or  7#b7 until ! date t is #b   
ye>s aft] ! date on :i* ! head ( ! ag5cy
 employ+ ! employee has giv5 notice to !
 employee & submitt$ to ,congress notice
 ( su* a %ift1 realignm5t1 or removal4  
7b7 ,rem$y ,a violation ( subsection 7a7
 may be appeal$ to ! ,m]it ,sy/ems      
,protection ,bo>d 9 accordance ) !      
proc$ures "u section #ggja ( title #e1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 or review$ by a    

c\rt ( compet5t jurisdiction4  ,,iv     
,m5tal heal? c>e = civil s]vants  #dja4 
,m5tal heal? s]vices ,! ag5cy t curr5tly
 employs1 or mo/ rec5tly employ$1 a     
vet]an1 milit>y sp\se1 c>egiv]1         
survivor1 or memb] ( a res]ve compon5t  
s]v+ 9 a position 9 ! civil s]vice :o is
 remov$1 demot$1 or susp5d$ on or aft]  
,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe1 %all reimburse !    
vet]an1 milit>y sp\se1 c>egiv]1         
survivor1 or memb] ( a res]ve compon5t =
 ! co/ ( all m5tal heal? s]vices provid$
 dur+ ! #ij-;day p]iod beg9n+ on ! date 
( ! removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion4    
#djb4 ,m5tal heal? s]vices = curr5t     
civil s]vants  7a7 ,vet ,c5t]s ,!       
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
deploy a mobile ,vet ,c5t] to ! (fice ( 
any ag5cy t1 on or aft] ,janu>y #bj1    
#bjbe1 removes1 susp5ds1 or demotes a   
gr\p ( m ?an #e vet]ans1 milit>y sp\ses1
 c>egiv]s1 survivors1 or memb]s ( a     
res]ve compon5t on any day1 = use by any
 curr5t or =m] employees ( ! ag5cy :o   
are a vet]an1 milit>y sp\se1 c>egiv]1   

survivor1 or memb] ( a res]ve compon5t4 
7b7 ,fund+ ,subject to ! availability ( 
appropriations1 until ,febru>y #a1      
#bjcj1 an ag5cy may n r$uce ! am\nt (   
funds sp5t1 contracts1 /aff1 or         
programm+ relat$ to m5tal heal? c\nsel+ 
s]vices1 f9ancial & legal s]vices1      
dep5d5t c>e s]vices1 workplace conflict 
resolution s]vices1 cultural compet5cy  
s]vices1 sub/ance use treatm5t s]vices1 
crisis int]v5tion s]vices1 or employee  
assi/ance programs bel[ ! levels z (    
,janu>y #e1 #bjbe4  ,v ,employm5t       
assi/ance = civil s]vants  #eja4        
,employm5t assi/ance ,! ,presid5t %all  
ord] measures to provide employm5t      
assi/ance & opportunities = vet]ans1    
milit>y sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1 survivors1 &  
memb]s ( a res]ve compon5t :o are       
remov$1 demot$1 or susp5d$ f civil      
s]vice on or aft] ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe4   
#ejb4 ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t & ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,labor "w on employm5t      
opportunities = memb]s ( ! milit>y      
community ,! ,director ( ! ,(fice (     

,p]sonnel ,managem5t & ! ,secret>y (    
,labor %all-- 7#a7 "w ) ! heads ( o!r   
ag5cies to exp& & facilitate ! use (    
,f$]al programs1 hir+ & tra9+           
opportunities1 & ret5tion inc5tives =   
vet]ans1 milit>y sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1      
survivors1 & memb]s ( a res]ve compon5t2
  7#b7 seek to develop p>tn]%ips ) firms
 9 ! private sector to enhance employm5t
 opportunities = vet]ans1 milit>y       
sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1 survivors1 & memb]s ( 
a res]ve compon5t1 includ+ to provide = 
improv$ job portability = su*           
individuals2  7#c7 "w ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
,*amb] ( ,comm]ce & o!r appropriate     
private-sector entities to facilitate ! 
=mation ( su* p>tn]%ips2 &  7#d7 exam9e 
& seek ways = incorporat+ hir+ pref]5ces
 = vet]ans1 milit>y sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1   
survivors1 & memb]s ( a res]ve compon5t 
into contracts betwe5 an ag5cy & #a or m
 private sector entities4  ,,vi         
,dep>tm5t ( ,gov]nm5t ,effici5cy  #fja4 
,limitation on access to vet]an &       
dep>tm5t in=mation1 sy/ems1 & data  7a7 

,limitations  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt]   
,,iii ( *apt] #eg ( title #ch1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end 
( ! foll[+ new section3  #egbi4         
,limitations on access to c]ta9         
in=mation1 sy/ems1 & data  7a7 ,9 g5]al 
,! ,secret>y may n all[ any individual  
to use1 ex]cise adm9i/rative control    
ov]1 or o!rwise access any ,dep>tm5t    
in=mation te*nology sy/em1 heal? or     
b5efits data repository1 contract+      
in=mation1 f9ancial sy/em1 record sy/em1
 or o!r relevant sy/em1 or any data f   
any su* sy/em1 unless-- 7#a7 su*        
individual is an (fic]1 employee1 or    
contractor ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 &  7#b7 9 !   
case ( an individual n describ$ 9       
p>agraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 su* individual     
holds a security cle>ance at !          
appropriate level ) respect to su* sy/em
 or data & su* cle>ance 0 grant$        
pursuant to ! proc$ures e/abli%$ "u     
section #hja ( ! ,national ,security    
,act ( #aidg 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa72     
7,b7 su* individual's access to su*     

sy/em or data1 or use !re(1 does n      
con/itute a violation ( section #bjh (  
title #ah 7det]m9$ aft] ! application ( 
subsection 7b772  7,c7 su* individual is
 n a special ,gov]nm5t employee 7z def9$
 9 section #bjb ( title #ah72  7,d7 su* 
individual's curr5t cont9u\s s]vice 9 ! 
civil s]vice 7z t t]m is def9$ 9 section
 #baja ( title #e7 z ( ! date ( su*     
access is = a p]iod ( n less ?an "o ye>2
  7,e7 su* individual has complet$ any  
requir$ tra9+ or compliance proc$ures ) 
respect to privacy laws1 cyb]security   
regulations1 national security          
regulations1 & be/ practices2 &  7,f7   
has sign$ a writt5 e?ics agreem5t ) ei!r
 ! s5ior c>e] ,designat$ ,ag5cy ,e?ics  
,(ficial ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 or ! mo/ s5ior  
c>e] (ficial )9 ! ,(fice ( ,gov]nm5t    
,e?ics4  7b7 ,treatm5t ( individuals :o 
are n (fic]s or employees ( executive   
bran* ( ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t  7#a7 ,any     
individual :o accesses any sy/em or data
 describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 :o is n      
o!rwise an (fic] or employee ( !        

executive bran* ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t    
%all be treat$ z an employee ( !        
executive bran* ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates       
,gov]nm5t = purposes ( section #bjh (   
title #ah4  7#b7 ,= purposes ( su*      
section #bjh1 ex]cise ( adm9i/rative    
control or /opp+1 cancel+1 adju/+1      
hold+1 reject+1 *ang+1 or o!rwise       
impact+ any paym5t or data 9 any        
,dep>tm5t sy/em1 data repository1 or o!r
 simil> location1 %all be consid]$      
p]sonal & sub/antial p>ticipation z a   
,gov]nm5t (fic] or employee 9 a p>ticul>
 matt]4  7c7 ,def9ition ( o!r relevant  
sy/em ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m o!r relevant
 sy/em means any data1 sy/em1           
connection1 database1 repository1 or any
 o!r tangible ?+ ( ! ,dep>tm5t t /ores  
in=mation ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 vet]ans1       
surviv+ sp\ses1 c>egiv]s1 or o!r        
recipi5ts ( heal? c>e or b5efits "u laws
 adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y1 includ+ heal? 
data1 p]sonally id5tifiable in=mation1  
protect$ heal? in=mation1 burial data   
in=mation1 contract data1 ! ,corporate  

,data ,w>eh\se ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 data      
reg>d+ b5efits provid$ to vet]ans1      
f9ancial transaction & bank in=mation1  
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,integrat$
 ,ent]prise ,workfl[ ,solution sy/em &  
data1 payroll in=mation1 rese>* &       
developm5t data1 & data t is "p ( !     
,million ,vet]an ,program4  4  7#b7     
,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at 
! beg9n+ ( *apt] #eg ( su* title is     
am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #egbh !    
foll[+ new section3  #egbi4 ,limitations
 on access to c]ta9 in=mation1 sy/ems1 &
 data4  4  7b7 ,deletion ( improp]ly    
obta9$ data ,9 any action br\ght aga9/ !
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs or a     
recipi5t ag5cy or o!r recipi5t 9 a c\rt 
( compet5t jurisdiction = a violation ( 
subsection 7b7 or 7e7 ( section #eeb;a (
 title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 ! c\rt  
may ord] ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans         
,affairs1 ! recipi5t ag5cy1 or o!r      
recipi5t to delete records improp]ly    
disclos$ or ma9ta9$ 9 a sy/em ( records 
9 violation ( ! rules & regulations set 

out pursuant to su* section4  7c7       
,removal ( connections ,n lat] ?an #ae  
days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is     
,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs   
%all remove any in=mation te*nology     
connection betwe5 ! ,dep>tm5t & any     
entity n 9 compliance ) ! provisions (  
?is section or section #egbi ( title    
#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by     
subsection 7a74  #fjb4 ,limitation on   
application ( c]ta9 ,executive ,ord]s   
relat+ to ,dep>tm5t ( ,gov]nm5t         
,effici5cy at ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs ,executive ,ord] #adaeh 7#ij   
,f$4 ,reg4 #hdda2 relat+ to e/abli%+ &  
implem5t+ ! ,presid5t's ,dep>tm5t (     
,gov]nm5t ,effici5cy71 ,executive ,ord] 
#adbaj 7#ij ,f$4 ,reg4 #iffi2 relat+ to 
implem5t+ ! ,presid5t's ,dep>tm5t (     
,gov]nm5t ,effici5cy work=ce            
optimization initiative71 ,executive    
,ord] #adbai 7#ij ,f$4 ,reg4 #ajehc2    
relat+ to ensur+ lawful gov]nance &     
implem5t+ ! ,presid5t's ,dep>tm5t (     
,gov]nm5t ,effici5cy d]egulatory        

initiative71 & ,executive ,ord] #adbbb  
7#ij ,f$4 ,reg4 #aajie2 relat+ to       
implem5t+ ! ,presid5t's ,dep>tm5t (     
,gov]nm5t ,effici5cy co/ effici5cy      
initiative7 %all n apply z x relates to 
! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs or !    
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs4  #fjc4   
,report on compliance ) limitation on   
access to vet]an & ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs in=mation1 sy/ems1 & data &    
,inspector ,g5]al review  7a7 ,report on
 compliance ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! 
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !         
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives a report on ! compliance
 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ) !  
provisions ( ?is section & section #egbi
 ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z    
add$ by section #fja7;a71 includ+ )     
respect to removal ( connections        
pursuant to section #fja7;c7 & ! removal
 ( relevant employees & _! cr$5tials f  

all ,dep>tm5t sy/ems1 premises1 &       
networks consi/5t ) ! su* sections4  7b7
 ,inspector ,g5]al review  7#a7 ,review 
,n lat] ?an #aj days ( aft] ! date ( !  
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al
 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all 
initiate a review on any in/ance (      
unau?oriz$ use or o!r access ( sy/ems   
describ$ 9 section #egbi7;a7 ( title    
#ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by     
section #fja7;a71 t has occurr$ dur+ !  
p]iod beg9n+ on ,novemb] #f1 #bjbd1 &   
end+ on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 
7#b7 ,prelim9>y brief+ ,n lat] ?an #ij  
days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is     
,act1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al %all provide !
 ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !   
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
prelim9>y brief+ on ! f9d+s ( !         
,inspector ,g5]al ) respect to ! review 
initiat$ pursuant to p>agraph 7#a74     
7#c7 ,f9al report ,n lat] ?an #ahj days 
aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !  
,inspector ,g5]al %all submit to !      

,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a  
f9al report on-- 7,a7 ! f9d+s ( !       
,inspector ,g5]al ) respect to ! review 
initiat$ pursuant to p>agraph 7#a72 &   
7,b7 su* recomm5dations = adm9i/rative  
or legislative action z ! ,inspector    
,g5]al may h z a result ( su* f9d+s4    
7#d7 ,cont5ts ,ea* report submitt$ "u   
?is subsection %all include ! foll[+3   
7,a7 a detail$ description ( !          
unau?oriz$ use or access1 includ+ any   
actions ! individual or individuals     
c>ri$ out2  7,b7 a risk assessm5t ( any 
?reat to privacy1 contract+ & f9ancial  
in=mation1 protect$ vet]an heal? &      
disability in=mation1 national security1
 cyb]security1 or ! integrity ( !       
applicable sy/em z a result ( su*       
unau?oriz$ use or access2 &  7,c7 a     
detail$ description ( any /opp$ b5efits1
 heal? c>e deliv]y1 or o!r s]vices ( !  
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs dur+ !    
unau?oriz$ use or access4  ,,vii        

,f9ancial ne$s ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs  #gja4 ,def9ition2 rule (      
con/ruction  7a7 ,mass contract         
cancellation def9$ ,9 ?is title1 ! t]m  
mass contract cancellation means !      
t]m9ation by ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs (-- 7#a7 five or m contracts 9 
a s+le bus9ess day2 or  7#b7 t5 or m    
contracts 9 a five-bus9ess-day p]iod4   
7b7 ,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is     
title %all be con/ru$ to prev5t !       
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs f cancell+
 individual contracts = poor p]=mance1  
fraud1 brea* ( contract1 or o!r reasons 
9 accordance ) applicable law1 includ+ !
 ,f$]al ,acquisition ,regulation4  #gjb4
 ,report on f9ancial effect ( !         
,dep>tm5t ( ,gov]nm5t ,effici5cy on !   
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9   
g5]al ,n less frequ5tly ?an once ea*    
qu>t] until ,septemb] #cj1 #bjbi1 !     
,secret>y ( ,vet]an ,affairs %all submit
 to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress
 a report detail+ ! e/imat$ co/s        
associat$ ) or attribut$ to policy      

*anges prompt$ by ! ,dep>tm5t (         
,gov]nm5t ,effici5cy or ! ,presid5t s9ce
 ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe4  7b7 ,co/s ,ea*    
report requir$ by subsection 7a7 %all   
acc\nt = ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! cancellation 
( any contracts & pot5tial litigation to
 resolve relat$ matt]s4  7#b7 ,!        
wrongful t]m9ation ( employees & any    
settlem5ts4  7#c7 ,! ne$ to hire        
contract$ provid]s or /aff to backfill  
vacant roles4  7#d7 ,su* o!r matt]s z ! 
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs consid]s  
appropriate4  7c7 ,appropriate          
committees ( ,congress def9$ ,9 ?is     
section1 ! t]m appropriate committees ( 
,congress means-- 7#a7 ! ,committee on  
,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on    
,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate2 &  7#b7 !   
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & !    
,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se 
( ,repres5tatives4  #gjc4 ,re9/atem5t ( 
contracts & review ( mass contract      
cancellations  7a7 ,re9/atem5t2 pause2  
review  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y (    
,vet]ans ,affairs-- 7,a7 %all re9/ate   

ea* contract cancell$ 9 a mass contract 
cancellation dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on     
,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe1 & end+ on ! date ( !
 enactm5t ( ?is ,act2  7,b7 %all pause  
any mass contract cancellation 9        
progress z ( ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is  
,act2 &  7,c7 %all n comm5ce any mass   
contract cancellation unless-- 7i7 ea*  
condition describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 is   
met2 &  7ii7 ! requirem5ts ( section    
#gjd are fulfill$4  7#b7 ,conditions ,! 
conditions describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph are !
 foll[+3 7,a7 ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans   
,affairs has review$ all contracts      
cancell$ or propos$ to be cancell$ dur+ 
! p]iod beg9n+ on ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe &  
end+ on ,april #cj1 #bjbe4  7,b7 ,!     
,secret>y has submitt$ to ,congress a   
report on ! reviews conduct$ "u         
subp>agraph 7,a71 includ+1 = ea*        
contract review$1 a c]tification by !   
,secret>y & c>e] head ( ea* relevant    
adm9i/ration or (fice ( ! ,dep>tm5t (   
,vet]ans ,affairs t cancel+ ! contract  
has n or w n affect any ( ! foll[+3 7i7 

,! deliv]y ( heal? c>e1 b5efits1 &      
memorial s]vices to vet]ans4  7ii7      
,safety & cleanl9ess ( any facility ( ! 
,dep>tm5t1 includ+ surgical suites4     
7iii7 ,! ability ( ! ,dep>tm5t to prev5t
 & detect wa/e1 fraud1 & abuse4  7iv7   
,m$ical rese>* c>ri$ out by ! ,dep>tm5t4
  7v7 ,cyb] & in=mation security4  7vi7 
,plann+1 deliv]y1 & ma9t5ance =         
infra/ructure1 leas+1 & con/ruction4    
7vii7 ,homelessness s]vices1 includ+    
prev5tion & h\s+4  7viii7 ,canc] rese>* 
& c>e4  7ix7 ,memorial s]vices4  7x7    
,claims process+ & retrieval &          
digitization ( records4  7xi7           
,vet]an-direct$ c>e4  7xii7 ,paym5ts &  
program ov]sight = educational assi/ance
 "u laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs4  7xiii7 ,m$ical      
supplies4  7xiv7 ,m5tal heal? & suicide 
prev5tion4  7xv7 ,implem5tation ( !     
,s]geant ,fir/ ,class ,hea? ,rob9son    
,honor+ our ,promise to ,address        
,compreh5sive ,toxics ,act ( #bjbb      
7,public ,law #aag-afh7 7commonly kn[n z

 ! ,,pact ,act74  7xvi7 ,radiology      
s]vices4  7xvii7 ,ph>macy s]vices4      
7xviii7 ,pro/hetics s]vices4  7xix7 ,!  
,transition ,assi/ance ,program4  7xx7  
,! ,home ,loan ,gu>anty ,program ( !    
,dep>tm5t4  7xxi7 ,police & security    
s]vices provid$ by ! ,dep>tm5t4  7xxii7 
,em]g5cy response1 includ+ ! ,f\r?      
,mission ( ! ,dep>tm5t4  7xxiii7        
,vet]ans employm5t4  7xxiv7 ,! disposal 
( wa/e1 includ+ haz>d\s wa/e4  7xxv7    
,any o!r critical s]vice1 function1 or  
op]ation ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ ^?      
requir$ by /atute4  7,c7 ,! ,secret>y   
has submitt$ to ,congress a report t    
sets =? a day-by-day timel9e ( h[ ! ef=t
 to c>ry out mass contract cancellations
 0 initiat$1 l$1 & unfold$1 includ+ !   
foll[+3 7i7 ,an id5tification ( ea* ( ! 
foll[+3 7,i7 ,:o direct$ ! ef=t to beg9 
& ! date on :i* su* direction took      
place4  7,,ii7 ,! p>amet]s ( ! ef=t4    
7,,iii7 ,:e!r ! ,dep>tm5t 0 provid$ ) a 
doll> numb] t>get to meet = sav+s or    
:e!r (ficials ( ! ,dep>tm5t det]m9$ !   

am\nt ( sav+s desir$4  7,,iv7 ,! se>*   
t]ms us$ to select contracts =          
cancellation4  7,v7 ,:o l$ ! contract   
review process4  7,,vi7 ,! specific     
individuals :o review$ ! ju/ifications  
to def5d ! m]its ( ea* contract4        
7,,vii7 ,! data & fact-bas$ crit]ia us$ 
to decide :i* contracts %\ld be cancell$
 bas$ on ! review ( ! def5se ( ^?       
contracts prep>$ by c>e] (ficials4      
7,,viii7 ,:e!r any contracts 7 remov$ f 
! initial li/ ( contracts to be cancell$
 prior to t li/ be+ f9aliz$4  7,,ix7 ,! 
crit]ia us$ to develop ! li/ ( contracts
 ann\nc$ = t]m9ation on ,m>* #c1 #bjbe4 
7ii7 ,an e/imate develop$ by ! ,*ief    
,f9ancial ,(fic] or ! ,assi/ant         
,secret>y = ,managem5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( !
 co/ exp5d$ by employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t  
to respond to data calls & contract     
ju/ification ex]cises dur+ ! p]iod      
beg9n+ on ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe & end+ on  
,april #cj1 #bjbe4  7iii7 ,a li/ (      
contracts cancell$ dur+ ! p]iod describ$
 9 clause 7ii7 t 7 subsequ5tly re/or$1 &

 any co/s paid by ! ,dep>tm5t to !      
contractor to mitigate ! tempor>y       
cancellation1 includ+ legal fees4  7iv7 
,= ea* contract t 0 cancell$1 an e/imat$
 co/ = ! "w to be p]=m$ by gov]nm5t     
p]sonnel & an id5tification ( ! "p ( !  
,dep>tm5t ^? p]sonnel w come f consid]+ 
! ongo+ p>tial hir+ freeze & r$uction 9 
=ce ef=ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ ^?     
outl9$ 9 ! ,dep>tm5tal memor&um dat$    
,m>* #d1 #bjbe1 & entitl$ ,dep>tm5t (   
,vet]ans ,affairs ,ag5cy ,r$uction 9    
,=ce 7,,rif7 & ,reorganization ,plan    
7,,arrp74  7b7 ,inspector ,g5]al review 
,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date on :i* ! 
reports requir$ by subsection 7a7 are   
submitt$ to ,congress1 ! ,inspector     
,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t %all-- 7#a7 review 
! reports = accuracy & complet5ess2 &   
7#b7 submit to ,congress & make publicly
 available a report t includes-- 7,a7   
f9d+s reg>d+ :e!r ! process = mass      
contract cancellations 0 consi/5t )     
public /atem5ts ( ,dep>tm5t (ficials2   
7,b7 recomm5dations = areas = improvem5t

 = future contract managem5t & ov]sight2
 &  7,c7 su* o!r matt]s z ! ,inspector  
,g5]al consid]s appropriate1 includ+    
actions ! ,dep>tm5t may take to improve 
ov]sight & use ( ,f$]al res\rces 9 ord] 
to improve effici5cy 9 contract+ by !   
,dep>tm5t & prev5t & detect wa/e1 fraud1
 & abuse4  #gjd4 ,limitations on mass   
contract cancellations  7a7 ,submission 
requir$  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,aft] !          
conditions describ$ 9 section           
#gjc7;a77#b7 are met1 if ! ,secret>y (  
,vet]ans ,affairs decides to c>ry out a 
mass contract cancellation1 ! ,secret>y 
%all1 be=e c>ry+ out su* cancellation1  
submit to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,a li/ ( 
contracts propos$ = cancellation4  7,b7 
,= ea* contract includ$ 9 ! li/ describ$
 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 a c]tification     
describ$ 9 section #gjc7;a77#b77;,b74   
7,c7 ,! numb] ( contracts includ$ 9 su* 
li/ t are held by a s]vice-disabl$      

vet]an-own$ small bus9ess or a          
vet]an-own$ small bus9ess4  7,d7 ,a     
description ( h[ ! "w propos$ to be     
cancell$ w\ld be absorb$ by ! exi/+     
work=ce ( ! ,dep>tm5t or :e!r hir+ (    
additional /aff w be ne$$ to p]=m t "w1 
& a co/ b5efit analysis comp>+ !        
contract+ & /aff+ approa*es4  7#b7      
,limitation ,! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs %all n comm5ce a mass contract 
cancellation until ! date t is #cj days 
aft] ! date on :i* ! ,committee on      
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & !       
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives receive !       
submission = su* cancellation "u        
p>agraph 7#a74  7b7 ,report  7#a7 ,9    
g5]al ,n lat] ?an #g bus9ess days aft] !
 date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !        
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
submit to ,committee on ,vet]ans'       
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! ,h\se (          
,repres5tatives a report t includes !   
foll[+3 7,a7 ,a li/ ( ! contracts       

cancell$ or propos$ = cancellation      
develop$ by ! ,dep>tm5t & ann\nc$ by !  
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs on        
,febru>y #be1 #bjbe1 &1 = ea* contract  
includ$ 9 su* li/-- 7i7 ! ju/ification =
 ! ne$ = ! contract1 if submitt$1 z     
writt5 by c>e] employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 
&  7ii7 an indication ( :e!r ! entity   
hold+ ! contract is a s]vice-disabl$    
vet]an-own$ small bus9ess or a          
vet]an-own$ small bus9ess4  7,b7 ,a li/ 
( contracts ann\nc$ = cancellation by ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs on ,m>*   
#c1 #bjbe1 &1 = ea* contract includ$ 9  
su* li/-- 7i7 ! ju/ification = ! ne$ = !
 contract1 if submitt$1 z writt5 by c>e]
 employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 &  7ii7 an    
indication ( :e!r ! entity hold+ !      
contract is a s]vice-disabl$ vet]an-own$
 small bus9ess or a vet]an-own$ small   
bus9ess4  7#b7 ,data fields ,ea* li/    
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 %all conta91 at
 a m9imum1 ! foll[+ fields3 7,a7        
,contract_/,ord] _/,,piid4  7,b7 ,v5dor4
  7,c7 ,category ( contract us+ relevant

 ,nor? ,am]ican ,indu/ry ,classification
 ,sy/em 7,,naics7 t]m9ology4  7,d7      
,contract description4  7,e7 ,date (    
t]m9ation or contract action4  7,f7     
,contract+ ,unique ,entity ,id5tifi]4   
7,g7 ,! headqu>t]s city & ,/ate ( !     
v5dor4  #gje4 ,*>ge c>d program ( !     
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9   
g5]al ,n lat] ?an #fj days be=e mak+ any
 *ange to ! *>ge c>d program ( !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 includ+  
any *ange r$uc+ ! total numb] ( *>ge    
c>ds au?oriz$ = use1 ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs %all notify !         
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'      
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives 9  
writ+ ( ! propos$ *ange4  7b7 ,elem5ts  
,any notification requir$ by subsection 
7a7 %all include ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,!      
ju/ification = ! *ange conc]n$4  7#b7 ,!
 timel9e = ! *ange to occur4  7#c7 ,a   
description ( h[ ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans 
,affairs int5ds to monitor = any        
negative effects on heal? c>e or b5efits

 deliv]y4  7c7 ,sunset ,?is section %all
 t]m9ate on ! date on :i* ,presid5t     
,trump is no long] ,presid5t4  ,,viii   
,report+ requirem5ts  #hja4 ,requirem5t 
= ,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration       
,monday ,morn+ ,workload ,report  7a7 ,9
 g5]al ,*apt] #ec ( title #ch1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end 
! foll[+ new section3  #ecbb4 ,monday   
,morn+ ,workload ,report  7a7 ,9 g5]al  
,n less frequ5tly ?an once ea* week1 !  
,"u ,secret>y = ,b5efits %all publi% on 
a publicly available website ( !        
,dep>tm5t1 a report provid+ a snap%ot ( 
! workload ( ! ,vet]ans ,b5efits        
,adm9i/ration4  7b7 ,cont5ts ,ea* report
 publi%$ pursuant to subsection 7a7 %all
 include ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,national totals
 = p5d+ & backlogg$ comp5sation1 p5sion1
 appeals1 & education workloads ( !     
,vet]ans ,b5efits ,adm9i/ration4  7#b7  
,national1 di/rict1 & regional          
(fice-level data1 disaggregat$ by !     
foll[+3 7,a7 ,/ation ( jurisdiction4    
7,b7 ,/ation ( orig9ation4  7,c7 ,/ate4 

7,d7 ,national ,"w ,queue1 or successor 
queue1 includ+-- 7i7 ! numb] ( claims   
p5d+ at /age ( ! claims life cycle2 &   
7ii7 av]age "t claims are p5d+ at ea*   
/age ( a life cycle4  7#c7 ,data = gr\ps
 ( claims1 disaggregat$ by national1    
di/rict1 & regional (fice or ,/ate      
level1 includ+ non-rat+ bundle1         
entitlem5t bundle1 aw>d adju/m5ts       
bundle1 program review bundle1 o!r      
bundle1 burial claims1 accru$ claims1   
appeals1 numb] ( claims & appeals ) duty
 to assi/ errors1 & su* o!r gr\ps z !   
,secret>y consid]s appropriate4  7#d7   
,national level data on claim & appeal  
inv5tories1 disaggregat$ by end product 
code4  7#e7 ,regional (fice level data  
on claim & appeal inv5tories1           
disaggregat$ by traditional aggregate   
gr\ps4  7#f7 ,national level data on !  
future volume ( "w ( :i* ! ,"u ,secret>y
 is aw>e4  7#g7 ,av]age age ( claims t h
 ma9ta9$ cont9u\s pursuit4  7#h7        
,factors contribut+ to ! increase or    
decrease 9 workload & ! claims backlog4 

7#i7 ,su* additional data z ! ,"u       
,secret>y consid]s appropriate4  7c7    
,publication requirem5t ,ea* report     
publi%$ pursuant to subsection 7a7 9 a  
week %all be publi%$ on ! ,monday ( t   
week1 except z foll[s3 7#a7 ,9 a case 9 
:i* ! ,monday ( ! week ( publication is 
a ,f$]ally recogniz$ holiday1 ! report  
%all be publi%$ on ! ,tuesday ( t week4 
7#b7 ,9 a case 9 :i* ! ,secret>y is     
publi%+ ! report requir$ by subsection  
7a7 m ?an once 9 a s+le week1 any       
publication aft] ! fir/ publication may 
be made on any day ( ! week at !        
discretion ( ! ,"u ,secret>y4  4  7b7   
,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at 
! beg9n+ ( *apt] #ec ( su* title is     
am5d$ by add+ aft] ! item relat+ to     
section #ecba ! foll[+ new item3  #ecbb4
 ,monday ,morn+ ,workload ,report4  4   
#hjb4 ,improvem5ts reg>d+ p]iodic       
publication ( metrics relat+ to process+
 ( appeals ,section #e ( ! ,vet]ans     
,appeals ,improvem5t & ,mod]nization    
,act ( #bjag 7,public ,law #aae-ee7 is  

am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new     
p>agraph3  7#d7 ,a summ>y ( ! outcome ( 
appeals "u ! new appeals sy/em1 includ+ 
appeals review$ by ! ,bo>d ( ,vet]ans'  
,appeals1 disaggregat$ by-- 7,a7 ! type 
( review2  7,b7 /ation ( orig9ation2    
7,c7 type ( appeal2 &  7,d7 diagno/ic   
codes4  4  #hjc4 ,publication ( wait    
times = community c>e f ,dep>tm5t (     
,vet]ans ,affairs  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] 
?an #ij days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( 
?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans        
,affairs %all publi% on a publicly      
accessible website ( ea* m$ical c5t] ( !
 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ! wait   
times = s*$ul+ an appo9tm5t = a vet]an  
to receive c>e f a non-,dep>tm5t provid]
 9 ! community = t m$ical c5t] & ea* ( !
 cl9ics ( ! ,dep>tm5t 9 ! cat*m5t area (
 t m$ical c5t]4  7b7 ,data ,to be       
includ$ ,! ,secret>y %all include 9 !   
publication "u subsection 7a7 wait times
 = ! foll[+ c>e3 7#a7 ,prim>y c>e4  7#b7
 ,specialty c>e4  7#c7 ,inpati5t c>e4   
7#d7 ,m5tal heal? c>e4  7#e7 ,su* o!r   

types ( c>e z ! ,secret>y consid]s      
appropriate4  7c7 ,update ,! ,secret>y  
%all update ! wait times publi%$ "u     
subsection 7a7 n less frequ5tly ?an     
weekly4  7d7 ,metrics us$ ,! ,secret>y  
%all calculate ! wait times publi%$ "u  
subsection 7a7 bas$ on simil> metrics z 
! metrics us$ to calculate wait times = 
c>e at facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t4  #hjd4 
,p]iod = ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs  
to respond to que/ions submitt$ by      
memb]s ( c]ta9 congressional committees 
7a7 ,requirem5t ,to ! maximum ext5t     
practicable1 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs %all provide-- 7#a7 an answ] to
 a "q submitt$ = ! record to ! ,dep>tm5t
 ( ,vet]ans ,affairs by a memb] ( !     
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate or ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 on
 or be=e ! date t is #de bus9ess days   
aft] ! date on :i* ! ,dep>tm5t receives 
! "q2  7#b7 an answ] to a reque/ =      
in=mation submitt$ by a memb] ( ! /aff (
 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( ! 

,s5ate or ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives or 
a memb] ( ei!r committee1 on or be=e !  
date t is #ae bus9ess days aft] ! date  
on :i* ! ,dep>tm5t receives ! reque/ f !
 memb] ( ! /aff or ! memb] ( !          
committee1 z ! case may be2 &  7#c7 an  
answ] to a lett] s5t by a memb] ( !     
,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !    
,s5ate or ! ,committee on ,vet]ans'     
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 on
 or be=e ! date t is #ae bus9ess days   
aft] ! date on :i* ! ,dep>tm5t receives 
! lett]4  7b7 ,delay$ responses  7#a7   
,notice requir$ ,if ! ,secret>y         
anticipates be+ unable to provide an    
answ] to a "q1 reque/ = in=mation1 or   
lett] describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 t 0     
submitt$ to ! ,dep>tm5t by ! date       
specifi$ 9 su* subsection1 ! ,secret>y  
%all1 be=e su* date1 submit to ! memb] &
 ! relevant ,committee a notice t !     
,secret>y anticipates be+ unable to     
provide ! answ] by su* date4  7#b7      
,cont5ts ,notice submitt$ "u p>agraph   

7#a7 %all include ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,a     
ju/ification = ! inability ( ! ,secret>y
 to meet ! deadl9e set =? 9 subsection  
7a74  7,b7 ,an e/imate ( :5 an answ] w  
be provid$ by ! ,secret>y to ! "q1      
reque/ = in=mation1 or lett] submitt$4  
7,c7 ,a description ( ! /eps ! ,secret>y
 ne$s to take 9 ord] to provide !       
response1 includ+ /eps requir$ to obta9 
any in=mation requir$ ( ano!r ,f$]al    
ag5cy4