Sponsors
The bill increases formal accountability and congressional oversight at the VA by restoring Senate‑confirmed Under Secretaries and expanding hiring flexibility, but does so at the risk of greater politicization, confirmation‑related delays, reduced career advancement for civil servants, and modest added costs or turnover that could disrupt services to veterans.
Veterans and VA patients will have clearer, Senate‑confirmed leadership for health and benefits, creating direct accountability for VA health policy and benefits decisions.
Congressional oversight and the legitimacy of VA health leadership will increase, which could strengthen advocacy for resources and attention to VA health programs.
The VA can hire more noncareer/Senior Executive Service leaders and expand hiring flexibility, enabling recruitment of private‑sector or policy specialists to drive management reforms.
Veterans and VA staff face a higher risk that VA operations and benefits priorities will be politicized as more senior slots are filled by noncareer appointees or politically vetted, Senate‑confirmed officials.
Veterans' care and benefits could suffer if Senate confirmation delays leave the Under Secretary for Health or Benefits positions vacant, interrupting leadership continuity and operational decisions.
Career federal employees may see reduced promotion and advancement opportunities as more senior VA positions are opened to noncareer or political appointees.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Raises the noncareer SES cap from 5% to 10% and makes the VA Under Secretaries for Health and for Benefits presidential appointments confirmed by the Senate.
Introduced December 16, 2025 by Nancy Mace · Last progress December 16, 2025
Increases the share of Senior Executive Service (SES) positions at the Department that can be filled by noncareer appointees from 5% to 10% and makes two senior VA positions—the Under Secretary for Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits—Presidential appointments requiring Senate confirmation. It also (re)establishes the Under Secretary for Benefits position. The bill changes who selects top VA leaders and how many SES slots can be filled by political/noncareer appointees. Day-to-day operations and program funding are not directly changed by this text.