RESTORE Act

This bill would give certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees back pay if they were forced out and later got their jobs back. It covers people who were removed on or after January 20, 2025, and before the bill becomes law, and then were reinstated at the VA. These workers would receive the pay and benefits they missed during that time, following federal back pay rules.

Political appointees are not included. That means top Executive Schedule officials, noncareer senior executives, and Schedule C political staff would not qualify.

Key points

• Who is affected: VA employees who were involuntarily removed and later reinstated; includes those on probation after a promotion; excludes political appointees.
• What changes: Eligible workers get back pay and benefits for the time they were out, based on existing federal back pay rules.
• When: Applies to removals starting January 20, 2025, up to the date the bill becomes law.