November 10, 2025
Mrs. Ramirez (for herself, Mr. Takano, Mr. Kennedy of New York, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. McGarvey, Mr. Conaway, Ms. Brownley, and Ms. Tlaib) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide covered employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs the right to be represented during examinations that may result in disciplinary actions against the covered employee.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Right to Representation for Department of Veterans Affairs Workers Act of 2025
.
Sec. 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. Covered employees: right to representation during examinations
(a) In general
The Secretary shall give to each covered employee an opportunity to be represented by a representative of the choice of, on duty time if applicable, the covered employee at any examination of such covered employee 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: