VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act

Key Points

• The bill blocks the government from moving, holding back, or redirecting money that Congress set aside for the VA. No funds can be impounded, transferred, or reprogrammed unless a future law specifically allows it by name.
• The VA would be completely exempt from any federal hiring freeze through January 20, 2029. This means the department could continue bringing on doctors, nurses, and other staff even if the White House or Office of Personnel Management orders a government-wide freeze.
• Any veteran who was a career VA employee and was fired after January 20, 2025, would get their job back. These reinstated workers would also be shielded from future layoffs through early 2029.
• Probationary VA employees could not be fired without Congress passing a new law specifically allowing it. The VA would also have to report detailed reasons to Congress any time it removes a probationary worker for poor performance.
• The VA Secretary must notify Congress if the department is within 30 days of running out of money, and must certify compliance with the law's requirements every year in writing.