; table of contents. Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. Sec. 3. Removal, demotion, and suspension of employees based on performance or misconduct. Sec. 4. Reduction of benefits for Department of Veterans Affairs employees convicted of certain crimes. Sec. 5. Authority to recoup bonuses or awards paid to employees of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 6. Authority to recoup relocation expenses paid to or on behalf of employees of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 7. Time period for response to notice of adverse actions against supervisory employees who commit prohibited personnel actions. Sec. 8. Direct hiring authority for medical center directors and VISN directors. Sec. 9. Time periods for review of adverse actions with respect to certain employees. 2. References to title 38, United States Code Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code. 3. Removal, demotion, and suspension of employees based on performance or misconduct (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 7 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 719. Employees: removal, demotion, or suspension based on performance or misconduct (a) In general (1) The Secretary may remove, demote, or suspend a covered individual who is an employee of the Department if the Secretary determines the performance or misconduct of the covered individual warrants such removal, demotion, or suspension. (2) If the Secretary so removes, demotes, or suspends such a covered individual, the Secretary may— (A) remove the covered individual from the civil service (as defined in section 2101 of title 5)