Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB687

Introduced

1/23/25

Refer

1/23/25

Caption

MERIT Act of 2025 Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation Act of 2025

Impact

If enacted, the MERIT Act will notably shorten the time frame for agencies to notify employees of adverse actions and make final decisions regarding removals. Currently, agencies have a longer timeline to follow; under the proposed act, they will have a maximum of 15 business days for the entire process, which includes providing notice, allowing for a response, and issuing a final decision. Supporters argue that this will make the federal workforce more accountable and enhance overall productivity efficiency. However, critics express concerns that the hastened removal processes may compromise due process rights for employees.

Summary

House Bill 687, also known as the Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation Act of 2025 (MERIT Act), proposes significant changes to the procedures for removing federal employees for performance-related issues or misconduct. It aims to streamline and enhance existing removal processes, allowing agencies to take adverse actions more swiftly against underperforming employees or those engaged in misconduct. This bill effectively repeals certain provisions in Title 5 of the United States Code that govern performance-based removals, replacing them with its own set of regulations and standards.

Contention

The bill has sparked debate, as some believe it undermines the protections currently afforded to federal employees. Key points of contention include provisions that prohibit the grieving of adverse actions and restrict appeals processes. Many advocates for employee rights argue that the new procedures could lead to unjust firings and retaliatory actions against whistleblowers, effectively creating a hostile workplace culture that prioritizes expedience over fairness. Additionally, the proposal includes measures relating to bonus recoupment and stricter disciplinary actions against senior executives, which could change the dynamics of internal accountability within federal agencies.

Congress_id

119-HR-687

Policy_area

Government Operations and Politics

Introduced_date

2025-01-23

Latest HB687 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

US SB662

MERIT Act of 2025 Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation Act of 2025

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Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 or the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025This bill modifies personnel action procedures regarding certain employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill authorizes the VA to remove from civil service, demote, or suspend VA employees that are supervisors or managers if the VA determines by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of such individual warrants such action. This authority does not apply to certain appointees or individuals in their probationary or trial period.Supervisors or managers who are subject to a removal, demotion, or suspension under this bill are entitled to (1) advance notice of the action and supporting evidence, (2) representation by an attorney or representative, and (3) grieve the action in accordance with an internal grievance process.The bill also provides protections from removal, demotion, or suspension for supervisor or managers who are whistleblowers or are seeking corrective action for an alleged prohibited personnel practice such as discrimination.The bill also modifies the procedures to remove, demote, or suspend VA employees or senior executives based on performance or misconduct, specifically by requiring the VA to determine by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of the individual warrants such removal, demotion, or suspension. Such procedures must apply retroactively, beginning on the date of enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (June 23, 2017).