H.R.3192 - This Act may be cited as the Reinstating Employee Salaries To Original Rates and Entitlements Act; RESTORE Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3192, the RESTORE Act, aims to provide back pay to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees who were involuntarily removed and subsequently reinstated between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date. The bill specifies that back pay will be calculated according to existing federal law (5 U.S.C. § 5596). It explicitly excludes individuals removed from political positions, defining 'political position' by referencing specific sections of the U.S. Code and Code of Federal Regulations related to executive schedules and noncareer appointees.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to compensate VA employees who were wrongly terminated and then reinstated. This would provide financial relief to those employees and potentially improve morale within the VA. The exclusion of political appointees ensures that the back pay provision is targeted towards career employees.
Potential Benefits
- Provides financial compensation to VA employees who were unjustly removed and reinstated.
- Corrects past injustices and ensures fair treatment of employees.
- May improve employee morale and job satisfaction within the VA.
- Reinforces the importance of due process in employment decisions.
- Excludes political positions, focusing benefits on career employees.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential cost to taxpayers for back pay disbursements.
- May create administrative burden for the VA to process back pay claims.
- Could lead to disputes over eligibility and calculation of back pay.
- Limited scope, only affecting a specific group of VA employees within a defined timeframe.
- May not address underlying issues that led to the initial wrongful removals.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with constitutional principles of due process and equal protection under the law, as it seeks to rectify wrongful terminations. While the Constitution does not explicitly guarantee government employment, the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause can be interpreted to require fair procedures in government employment decisions. The bill's provisions do not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations on Congressional power.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).