This part gives itself a name. It tells the head of the VA to brief Congress four times a year about money. It also limits extra pay for top staff based at the VA's main office.
The document says “may be cited as”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“This section may be cited as the "Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025" or the "PRO Veterans Act of 2025".”
The section names itself twice, once in full and once as the PRO Veterans Act of 2025. The name is used again later in the section, where it fixes the start of the one year deadline for the annual report on critical skill incentives.
What the document actually says
“This section may be cited as the "Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025" or the "PRO Veterans Act of 2025".”
That sentence, in plain words
This part of the law has a short name. It is the PRO Veterans Act of 2025.
What this is about
A law can hold more than one act. This law holds two. Each part gives itself a name. The long name and the short name mean the same thing.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Secretary of Veterans AffairsHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“During the first quarter beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act and in each quarter thereafter until the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a quarterly briefing, in person, on the budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs and any shortfall the Department may be experiencing.”
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must brief four committees of Congress in person once a quarter, on the Department's budget and on any shortfall. The duty starts with the first quarter after enactment and runs for three years. The Act was approved August 14, 2025.
What the document actually says
“During the first quarter beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act and in each quarter thereafter until the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a quarterly briefing, in person, on the budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs and any shortfall the Department may be experiencing.”
That sentence, in plain words
The head of the VA must brief Congress four times a year. The talks must be in person. They must cover VA money and any gap in it. This goes on for three years.
What this is about
A gap means the VA needs more money than it was set to get. These talks let Congress hear about it early. The law names the groups in Congress that must be told.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Secretary of Veterans AffairsHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“In any case in which the Secretary informs Congress during a briefing under paragraph (1) that the Department is experiencing a shortfall, the Secretary shall, during such briefing, present the plans of the Secretary to address or mitigate the shortfall.”
If the Secretary reports a shortfall at one of these briefings, the Secretary must present plans to address or mitigate it in that same briefing. The section does not say what such a plan has to contain.
What the document actually says
“In any case in which the Secretary informs Congress during a briefing under paragraph (1) that the Department is experiencing a shortfall, the Secretary shall, during such briefing, present the plans of the Secretary to address or mitigate the shortfall.”
That sentence, in plain words
The head of the VA may say there is a money gap. If so, they must also show a plan. The plan must say how to fix or ease the gap. It must come at the same talk.
What this is about
This stops a bare warning. If the VA says money is short, it must also say what it will do. The law does not say what has to be in the plan.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “means”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (ii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.”
For the purposes of the briefing requirement, the appropriate committees of Congress are four: the Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations committees of the Senate, and the Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations committees of the House of Representatives.
What the document actually says
“the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (ii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.”
That sentence, in plain words
The law says which groups in Congress must get the talks. There are four of them. Two sit in the Senate and two sit in the House.
What this is about
Each side of Congress has a group for veterans. Each side also has a group for money. All four must be told.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “means”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“The term "shortfall", with respect to a fiscal year, means that the amount of appropriations required by the Department of Veterans Affairs for such fiscal year to meet all of the statutory obligations of the Department during that fiscal year exceeds the amount of appropriations requested for the Department for that fiscal year in the budget of the President submitted pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, for that fiscal year.”
A shortfall is defined against the President's budget request, not against what Congress finally appropriates. It exists where the money the Department needs to meet its statutory obligations for a fiscal year is more than the money requested for it in the budget submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code.
What the document actually says
“The term "shortfall", with respect to a fiscal year, means that the amount of appropriations required by the Department of Veterans Affairs for such fiscal year to meet all of the statutory obligations of the Department during that fiscal year exceeds the amount of appropriations requested for the Department for that fiscal year in the budget of the President submitted pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, for that fiscal year.”
That sentence, in plain words
A money gap means the VA needs more than it was asked to be given. It has jobs the law says it must do. If those jobs cost more than the President asked for, there is a gap.
What this is about
The word gap could mean many things. So the law pins it down. It sets the test against the money in the President's yearly plan.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “is amended”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“Section 706(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:”
Subsection (c) does its work by amendment. It adds a new paragraph (7) at the end of section 706(d) of title 38, United States Code. That statute is not indexed here, so this site records only the words this Act inserts.
What the document actually says
“Section 706(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:”
That sentence, in plain words
This part adds new words to an older law. The older law is about pay at the VA.
What this is about
The older law is section 706 of title 38. This part puts a new piece at its end. That new piece is set out below. This site does not index the older law.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “may not”Who acts: Secretary of Veterans AffairsHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“a critical skill incentive may not be provided under paragraph (1) to an employee of the Department employed in a Senior Executive Service position, or a position in another comparable system for senior-level Government employees, as defined by the Secretary, whose position is at the Central Office of the Department, including the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration, regardless of the actual location where the employee performs the functions of the position.”
The inserted paragraph bars a critical skill incentive for a senior executive whose position is at the Department's Central Office, and counts the Central Office positions of the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration and the National Cemetery Administration within that bar. Where the employee physically works does not change the answer.
What the document actually says
“a critical skill incentive may not be provided under paragraph (1) to an employee of the Department employed in a Senior Executive Service position, or a position in another comparable system for senior-level Government employees, as defined by the Secretary, whose position is at the Central Office of the Department, including the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration, regardless of the actual location where the employee performs the functions of the position.”
That sentence, in plain words
Top VA staff at the main office cannot get extra pay for rare skills. This holds no matter where they work from.
What this is about
The main office runs the whole VA. It covers health care, benefits, and burial grounds. A top staffer based there is shut out. Working from home does not change that.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “may not”Who acts: Secretary of Veterans AffairsHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“on an individual basis and may not be provided to a group of such employees”
For a senior executive not caught by the Central Office bar, a critical skill incentive may be provided only on an individual basis. The inserted text forbids providing one to a group of such employees.
What the document actually says
“on an individual basis and may not be provided to a group of such employees”
That sentence, in plain words
Extra pay for rare skills must be given one person at a time. It cannot go to a whole group.
What this is about
This is for top staff who are not based at the main office. Each award has to stand on its own. A blanket award to a team is not allowed.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “requires”Who acts: Under Secretary for Benefits, Under Secretary for Health, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, Director of the Office of Management, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, General CounselHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“upon approval of the following officers or those serving in an acting capacity”
The inserted text conditions such an incentive on approval by one of a listed set of officers, and allows a person serving in an acting capacity to give it. The list names the three Under Secretaries, the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, the Director of the Office of Management or the Chief Financial Officer, the Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, the General Counsel, and such other officers as the Secretary determines appropriate.
What the document actually says
“upon approval of the following officers or those serving in an acting capacity”
That sentence, in plain words
Extra pay for rare skills needs a sign off first. Named VA leaders have to agree to it.
What this is about
The law lists the leaders who can sign off. It includes the heads of health, benefits, and burial grounds. It also includes the top lawyer and the money chief. A stand in for one of them may sign too.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Secretary of Veterans AffairsHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“any critical skill incentive provided under paragraph (1) to the employee for the portion of the employee's job function that is based out of facilities of the Department other than the Central Office shall be proportionate to the time spent at those Department facilities.”
Where a senior executive's position is primarily at Central Office but part of the job is performed at other facilities, the Central Office bar does not reach that part, and any incentive for it must be proportionate to the time spent at those facilities. The Secretary defines which facilities count.
What the document actually says
“any critical skill incentive provided under paragraph (1) to the employee for the portion of the employee's job function that is based out of facilities of the Department other than the Central Office shall be proportionate to the time spent at those Department facilities.”
That sentence, in plain words
Some top staff work partly at the main office and partly at other sites. Their extra pay must match the time spent away from the main office.
What this is about
A person may split their week between sites. The law does not let the whole job count as time away. The pay is cut down to fit the share of time.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Secretary of Veterans AffairsHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025, and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives an annual report”
The Secretary must report each year, starting within a year of enactment, to the Veterans' Affairs committees of both chambers, on the senior executives who were provided a critical skill incentive. The Act was approved August 14, 2025.
What the document actually says
“Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025, and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives an annual report”
That sentence, in plain words
The head of the VA must send a report to Congress. It is due within a year, and then once each year after that. It must cover top staff who got extra pay for rare skills.
What this is about
Two groups in Congress get this report. One sits in the Senate and one sits in the House. Both work on veterans. The money groups are not on this list.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “can”Who acts: Secretary of Veterans AffairsHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“Reports submitted pursuant to clause (i) may be submitted by incorporating their contents into other congressionally mandated reports to the committees described in such clause.”
The annual report need not stand alone. Its contents may instead be carried inside another report Congress has already required the Department to send to the same two committees.
What the document actually says
“Reports submitted pursuant to clause (i) may be submitted by incorporating their contents into other congressionally mandated reports to the committees described in such clause.”
That sentence, in plain words
The VA does not have to send this report on its own. It can put the facts inside another report to the same groups.
What this is about
Congress asks the VA for many reports. This lets the VA join them up. The facts still have to be in there.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “means”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 1 in the PDF
What the document says
“In this paragraph, the term `Senior Executive Service position' has the meaning given such term in section 3132(a) of title 5.”
The inserted paragraph does not define a senior executive position for itself. It takes the meaning from section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code, which is not indexed here.
What the document actually says
“In this paragraph, the term `Senior Executive Service position' has the meaning given such term in section 3132(a) of title 5.”
That sentence, in plain words
The law says what a top staff job means here. It borrows the meaning from a different law.
What this is about
That other law is title 5. This site does not index it. So this site does not say what it says.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
Each thing the section requires: the name it gives itself, the quarterly briefings and what a briefing must contain, the two terms it defines, and each limit and reporting duty it adds to the critical skill incentive provisions of title 38, United States Code.
The recital of the Senior Executive Service formula repeated in every subparagraph, which is recorded once. The approval line and the legislative history the Government Publishing Office prints after the last section are held out of the indexed text.
Subsection (c) works by adding a paragraph to section 706(d) of title 38, United States Code. That statute is not indexed here, so the site records the words this law inserts and does not describe what the surrounding provision says. The term the last subparagraph defines takes its meaning from section 3132(a) of title 5, which is not indexed here either.
