US Congress House Bill 5620 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 35-0)
Status: Engrossed on September 15 2016 - 50% progression, died in committee
Action: 2016-09-15 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Pending: Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]

VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct and provides that specified federal employee performance appraisal provisions shall not apply to such removals or demotions. The VA may remove such individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate. A demoted individual shall not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave during the appeals period and can receive pay only if he or she reports for duty. An expedited appeals process is established under which: (1) an employee shall have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) within seven days of removal or demotion, (2) the MSPB shall issue a decision within 60 days of the appeal or the removal or demotion becomes final, (3) an MSPB decision and any final removal or demotion may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, and (4) the MSPB may not stay any removal or demotion. The VA may not remove or demote an employee: (1) without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice, and (2) until a final decision in the case of a whistle blower complaint. The VA shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance while employed in such position. The VA may reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken. The VA may recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee under specified circumstances. The VA may suspend, reprimand or admonish an SES employee for misconduct or performance that does not merit removal. The VA must notify an individual five days before taking such proposed action. Appeals may be made to the Senior Executive Disciplinary Appeals Board (as provided for by this bill) and may not be appealed to the MSPB. The bill establishes an additional whistle blower complaint process, which shall include suspension and removal actions against supervisory employees who commit prohibited personnel actions against a whistle blower. The bill amends the disability benefits appeals process. The bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to prohibit payment of an award or bonus to any VA SES employee during each of FY2017-FY2021.

VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016

Rep. Jeff Miller [R-FL]	Rep. Tim Huelskamp [R-KS]	Rep. Darrell Issa [R-CA]	Rep. Ralph Abraham [R-LA]
Rep. Amata Radewagen [R-AS]	Rep. Pete Sessions [R-TX]	Rep. Leonard Lance [R-NJ]	Rep. David Roe [R-TN]
Rep. Bill Johnson [R-OH]	Rep. Louie Gohmert [R-TX]	Rep. Mike Coffman [R-CO]	Rep. Doug Lamborn [R-CO]
Rep. Adrian Smith [R-NE]	Rep. Gus Bilirakis [R-FL]	Rep. Bill Flores [R-TX]	Rep. Robert Pittenger [R-NC]
Rep. Scott Tipton [R-CO]	Rep. Tim Walberg [R-MI]	Rep. Martha Roby [R-AL]	Rep. David Young [R-IA]
Rep. Chris Collins [R-NY]	Rep. Jason Chaffetz [R-UT]	Rep. Jackie Walorski [R-IN]	Rep. Bob Goodlatte [R-VA]
Rep. Dan Benishek [R-MI]	Rep. Walter Jones [R-NC]	Rep. Frank LoBiondo [R-NJ]	Rep. Paul Gosar [R-AZ]
Rep. French Hill [R-AR]	Rep. John Kline [R-MN]	Rep. Ann Wagner [R-MO]	Rep. Stephen Knight [R-CA]
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler [R-WA]	Rep. Brian Babin [R-TX]	Rep. Vern Buchanan [R-FL]

House - On Agreeing to the Amendment (Y: 173 N: 250 NV: 8 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
House - On Agreeing to the Amendment (Y: 184 N: 240 NV: 7 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
House - On Agreeing to the Amendment (Y: 183 N: 236 NV: 12 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
House - On Agreeing to the Amendment (Y: 426 N: 0 NV: 5 Abs: 0) [PASS]
House - On Agreeing to the Amendment (Y: 421 N: 1 NV: 9 Abs: 0) [PASS]
House - On Agreeing to the Amendment (Y: 421 N: 0 NV: 10 Abs: 0) [PASS]
House - On Agreeing to the Amendment (Y: 423 N: 1 NV: 7 Abs: 0) [PASS]
House - On Motion to Recommit with Instructions (Y: 185 N: 239 NV: 7 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
House - On Passage (Y: 310 N: 116 NV: 5 Abs: 0) [PASS]
House - On Passage (Y: 310 N: 116 NV: 5 Abs: 0) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2016-09-15	Senate	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2016-09-14	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2016-09-14	House	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 310 - 116 (Roll no. 519).
2016-09-14	House	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 185 - 239 (Roll no. 518).
2016-09-14	House	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H5485)
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Titus motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section at the end of the bill pertaining to the Definiiton of Spouse for Purposes of Veteran Benefits to Reflect New State Definitions of Spouse pending a reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was removed.
2016-09-14	House	Ms. Titus moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (consideration: CR H5484-5485; text: CR H5484)
2016-09-14	House	The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
2016-09-14	House	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5484, H5485)
2016-09-14	House	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5620.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1412 On agreeing to the Duffy amendment (A020) Agreed to by recorded vote: 423 - 1 (Roll no. 517).
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1411 On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A019) Agreed to by recorded vote: 421 - 0 (Roll no. 516).
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1410 On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A018) Agreed to by recorded vote: 421 - 1 (Roll no. 515).
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1406 On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A014) Agreed to by recorded vote: 426 - 0 (Roll no. 514).
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1397 On agreeing to the Kuster amendment (A005) Failed by recorded vote: 183 - 236 (Roll no. 513).
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1395 On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A003) Failed by recorded vote: 184 - 240 (Roll no. 512).
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1394 On agreeing to the Walz amendment (A002) Failed by recorded vote: 173 - 250 (Roll no. 511).
2016-09-14	House	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
2016-09-14	House	Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5479-5486)
2016-09-14	House	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5620 as unfinished business.
2016-09-14	House	On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-14	House	Mr. Miller (FL) moved that the Committee now rise.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1413 On agreeing to the Miller (FL) amendment (A021) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller (FL) amendment No. 22.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1413 Amendment (A021) offered by Mr. Miller (FL).
2016-09-14	House	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Duffy amendment No. 21, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Duffy amendment No. 21.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1412 Amendment (A020) offered by Mr. Duffy.
2016-09-14	House	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano amendment No. 20, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2016-09-14	House	Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment No. 20.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1411 Amendment (A019) offered by Mr. Takano.
2016-09-14	House	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano amendment No. 19, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment No. 19.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1410 Amendment (A018) offered by Mr. Takano.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1409 On agreeing to the O'Rourke amendment (A017) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the O'Rourke amendment No. 18.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1409 Amendment (A017) offered by Mr. O'Rourke.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1408 On agreeing to the O'Rourke amendment (A016) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the O'Rourke amendment No. 17.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1408 Amendment (A016) offered by Mr. O'Rourke.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1407 On agreeing to the O'Rourke amendment (A015) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the O'Rourke amendment No. 16.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1407 Amendment (A015) offered by Mr. O'Rourke.
2016-09-14	House	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano amendment No. 15, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment No. 15.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1406 Amendment (A014) offered by Mr. Takano.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1405 On agreeing to the Lujan, Ben Ray (NM) amendment (A013) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-14	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lujan, Ben Ray (NM) amendment No. 14.
2016-09-14	House	H.Amdt.1405 Amendment (A013) offered by Mr. Lujan, Ben Ray (NM).
2016-09-14	House	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
2016-09-14	House	Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5463-5470)
2016-09-13	House	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5620 as unfinished business.
2016-09-13	House	On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	Mr. Miller (FL) moved that the committee rise.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1404 On agreeing to the Lowenthal amendment (A012) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lowenthal amendment No. 13.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1404 Amendment (A012) offered by Mr. Lowenthal.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1403 On agreeing to the Keating amendment (A011) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keating amendment No. 12.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1403 Amendment (A011) offered by Mr. Keating.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1402 On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A010) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment No. 11.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1402 Amendment (A010) offered by Mr. Takano.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1401 On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A009) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment No. 10.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1401 Amendment (A009) offered by Mr. Takano.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1400 By unanimous consent, the Schweikert amendment was withdrawn.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Schweikert amendment No. 8.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1400 Amendment (A008) offered by Mr. Schweikert.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1399 On agreeing to the Newhouse amendment (A007) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Newhouse amendment No. 7.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1399 Amendment (A007) offered by Mr. Newhouse.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1398 On agreeing to the Takano amendment (A006) as modified Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment No. 6.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1398 Takano amendment (A006) modified by unanimous consent.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1398 Amendment (A006) offered by Mr. Takano.
2016-09-13	House	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Kuster amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Kuster demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster amendment No. 5.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1397 Amendment (A005) offered by Ms. Kuster. (consideration: CR H5408-5409; text: CR H5408)
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1396 On agreeing to the Lujan Grisham (NM) amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lujan Grisham (NM) amendment No. 4.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1396 Amendment (A004) offered by Ms. Lujan Grisham (NM).
2016-09-13	House	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment No. 3.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1395 Amendment (A003) offered by Mr. Takano. (consideration: CR H5406-5407; text: CR H5406)
2016-09-13	House	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Walz amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Walz amendment No. 2.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1394 Amendment (A002) offered by Mr. Walz. (consideration: CR H5405-5406; text: CR H5405)
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1393 On agreeing to the Miller (FL) amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.
2016-09-13	House	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 859, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller (FL) amendment No. 1.
2016-09-13	House	H.Amdt.1393 Amendment (A001) offered by Mr. Miller (FL).
2016-09-13	House	GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5620.
2016-09-13	House	The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2016-09-13	House	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 859 and Rule XVIII.
2016-09-13	House	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5620 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report.
2016-09-13	House	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 859. (consideration: CR H5390-5417; text of measure as reported in House: CR H5398-5404)
2016-09-13	House	Rule H. Res. 859 passed House.
2016-09-12	House	Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 859 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5620 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report.
2016-07-14	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
2016-07-05	House	Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
2016-07-05	House	Referred to House Veterans' Affairs
2016-07-05	House	Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2016-07-05	House	Introduced in House

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5620/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr5620/BILLS-114hr5620ih.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr5620/BILLS-114hr5620eh.pdf
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016519
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016518
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016517
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016516
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016515
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016514
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016513
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016512
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2016511