VA TRUST Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6740
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Committee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T08:07:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to adjust compensation structures for senior executive positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) while increasing transparency around performance awards and bonuses paid to high-level employees.
Key Provisions
- Enhanced Reporting Requirements: Amends section 726(b) of title 38, United States Code, to require additional details in reports on performance awards and bonuses, specifically the appropriations accounts used for payment and the annual basic pay rate for each recipient.
- New Pay Rules for Senior Executives: Adds section 729 to title 38, United States Code, which:
- Directs that pay for senior executive positions follows the ranges, structure, and limits established for the Senior Executive Service under title 5, United States Code.
- Sets pay for career appointees transferring from other agencies based on the Secretary’s determination and consistent with their prior performance and pay levels.
- Requires that individuals moving to a different senior executive position within the VA receive the pay rate established for that new position, with limited adjustments allowed.
- Definitions: References existing definitions from title 5 for “career appointee” and “senior executive position.”
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a dedicated section (729) governing VA senior executive pay, aligning it more explicitly with broader federal Senior Executive Service standards.
- Expands mandatory reporting on bonuses by adding two new data elements not previously required under section 726(b).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Primarily affects the VA by standardizing senior pay decisions and increasing oversight through detailed bonus reporting, which may influence budget tracking and personnel management.
- On Citizens: Indirect effects on veterans through potential changes in VA leadership compensation and accountability; no direct impact on individual benefits.
- On International Relations: None identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (responsible for setting pay rates).
- Senior Executive Service employees at the VA (subject to new pay rules and reporting).
- Congress (receives expanded reports for oversight).
- VA appropriations and budget offices (accountable for tracking bonus funding sources).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Strengthens congressional oversight of VA executive compensation through mandatory reporting, potentially supporting greater accountability without altering constitutional separation of powers.
- Applies existing title 5 pay authorities to VA without creating new pay authorities or exceeding aggregate limits.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Committee Hearings Held
- 2026-03-18: Committee Hearings Held
- 2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Affairs Transparency and Reform of the Upper Senior Tenure Act — issued 2025-12-16 — PDF (3 pages)