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House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 198 and Rule XVIII.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 198. H.R. 1367 — "To improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes."

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1181 — "To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes."

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on H.R. 1181, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add language to the bill further defining protections to whistleblowers who file complaints.

Mr. Kihuen moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1259.

An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Takano, numbered 9 printed in Part A of House Report 115-39 to provide for the suspension and removal of VA employees for performance or misconduct that is a threat to public health and safety in place of the proposed removal process.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano Part A amendment No. 9, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

An amendment, offered by Mr. Walz, numbered 2 printed in Part A of House Report 115-39 to grant the VA Secretary improved authorities to hold VA senior executives and employees accountable, protects employees' constitutionally guaranteed due process rights, and protects employees' collective bargaining rights under federal law.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano Part A amendment No. 9.

On agreeing to the Kuster (NH) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster(NH) Part A amendment No. 8.

An amendment, offered by Ms. Kuster (NH), numbered 8 printed in House Report 115-39 to require VA supervisors to develop performance plans for employees, to include steps taken to address poor performance. It would also improve training for supervisors.