S. 3196 — Introduced in Senate

II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 3196 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 18, 2025Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Markey, Ms. Hirono, Mr. King, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Sanders) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to give employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs opportunities to be represented by the representatives of their choices in examinations of the employees in connection with examinations that may result in disciplinary action, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Right to Representation for Department of Veterans Affairs Workers Act of 2025. 2. Right to representation for employees of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 707 the following new section: 708. Employee right to representation (a) In general The Secretary shall give to each covered employee an opportunity to be represented by a representative of their choice, on duty time if applicable, of the covered employee at any examination of such covered employee in connection with an examination carried out by the Secretary if— (1) the covered employee believes that the examination may result in disciplinary action against the covered employee; and (2) the covered employee requests the representation. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered employee means an individual occupying a position at the Department, but does not include— (A) an individual occupying a senior executive position (as defined in section 713(d) of this title); (B) an individual appointed pursuant to sections 7306, 7401(4), or 7405 of this title; or (C) a political appointee. (2) The term political appointee has the meaning given such term in section 714(h) of this title. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 707 the following new item: 708. Employee right to representation. .