; and (ii) issue a decision in each case not later than 21 days after the date of the appeal. (2) Finality Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including section 7703 of title 5, United States Code, the decision of an administrative law judge under paragraph (1) shall be final and shall not be subject to any further administrative appeal. (3) Failure to issue decision (A) In general In any case in which an administrative law judge fails to issue a decision in accordance with the 21-day requirement described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), the personnel action shall be treated as final. (B) Transparency In any case in which a personnel action is treated as final under subparagraph (A), the Merit Systems Protection Board shall, not later than 14 days after the date on which the personnel action becomes final, submit a letter explaining the reasons why a decision was not issued in accordance with the 21-day requirement described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) to— (i) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; (ii) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (iii) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and (iv) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. (4) Restriction The Merit Systems Protection Board or an administrative law judge may not stay any personnel action. (5) Cessation of pay increases and benefits During the period beginning on the date on which an employee appeals a removal from the civil service under subsection (e)(2)(A) and ending on the date on which the removal becomes final, the employee may not receive any— (A) increase in rate of pay; or (B) award, bonus, incentive, allowance, differential, student loan repayment, special payment, or other benefit. (6) Assistance To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall provide such information and assistance as may be necessary to ensure an appeal under this subsection is expedited to— (A) the Merit Systems Protection Board