Timothy Kennedy (D-NY)
VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act
A Democratic bill with 26 Democratic cosponsors · See all 26 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee Hearings Held
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act aims to control how the Department of Veterans Affairs handles its money and staff. It restricts the Department from impounding, transferring, or reprogramming discretionary appropriations without new specific laws. The bill also requires the Secretary to notify Congress if a funding shortfall is approaching. Additionally, it creates exemptions from hiring freezes and mandates the reinstatement of certain removed veteran employees. Finally, it sets new rules and notification requirements regarding layoffs and the removal of probationary employees.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides significant job security, reinstatement rights, and funding protections specifically for veterans.
- Scored +6
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill protects VA funding from being diverted and ensures staffing stability through hiring freeze exemptions.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates increased Congressional oversight and reporting on personnel actions.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill limits the Department's flexibility to transfer or reprogram funds, which may hinder efficient spending adjustments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Funding: Discretionary appropriations for the Department, including the Veterans Health Administration, cannot be impounded, transferred, or reprogrammed without new statutory authority (Section 2(a)). This ensures money intended for veterans is used as intended.
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Early Warning on Shortfalls: The Secretary must notify the Committees on Veterans' Affairs if the Department is within 30 days of a funding shortfall (Section 2(b)). This provides transparency regarding the Department's financial status.
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Job Security during Hiring Freezes: The Department is exempt from any hiring freezes issued by the President, the Secretary, or the Director of the Office of Personnel Management between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029 (Section 3(a)).
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Reinstatement for Veterans: Veterans who were career employees of the Department and were removed between January 20, 2025, and the date of this Act's enactment must be reinstated to their previous or equivalent position (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Protection from Reductions in Force: Removed veteran employees are exempt from any reduction in force that occurs before January 20, 2029 (Section 3(b)(2)).
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Increased Oversight on Employee Removals: The Secretary must provide written notice to Congress 15 days before removing any officer or employee due to a reduction in force or agency reorganization (Section 3(c)(1)).
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Protection for Probationary Employees: Employees in probationary status cannot be removed without a new law specifically permitting such a removal (Section 3(c)(2)(A)).
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Transparency for Probationary Removals: When a probationary employee is removed for poor performance, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress including the reasons, the most recent appraisal, and the removal notice (Section 3(c)(2)(B)(i)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Requirement for New Legislation for Fund Changes: The Department cannot impound, transfer, or reprogram funds without specific new laws being enacted (Section 2(a)). This may limit the Department's flexibility in managing its budget.
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Mandatory Reinstatements: The Secretary is required to reinstate certain removed veteran employees to their former or equivalent positions (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Mandatory Reporting Burdens: The Secretary must submit various reports to Congress regarding probationary employees and must certify compliance with this Act annually (Section 3(c)(2)(B) and Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates increased Congressional oversight and reporting on personnel actions. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill provides greater protections against arbitrary removal for probationary and veteran employees.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides significant job security, reinstatement rights, and funding protections specifically for veterans.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill protects VA funding from being diverted and ensures staffing stability through hiring freeze exemptions.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances job security and reinstatement rights for veteran employees within the VA.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill increases financial transparency by requiring notification of potential funding shortfalls. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill limits the Department's flexibility to transfer or reprogram funds, which may hinder efficient spending adjustments.
- 5/20/2026
- Committee Hearings Held
- 3/18/2026
- Committee Hearings Held
- 7/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/24/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 17 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
John MannionDemocrat · New York
Kelly MorrisonDemocrat · Minnesota
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Raul RuizDemocrat · California
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia