; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking The Secretary and inserting Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary ; (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b): (b) Prohibition on awards and bonuses for senior executive employees During each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021, no award or bonus may be paid to any employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who is employed in a Senior Executive Service position, as that term is defined in section 3132(a)(2) of title 5. .