Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021], the Comptroller General of the United States shall investigate whether the application in the Department of Homeland Security of discipline and adverse actions for managers and non-managers are administered in an equitable and consistent manner that results in the same or substantially similar disciplinary outcomes across the Department that are appropriately calibrated to address the identified misconduct, taking into account relevant aggravating and mitigating factors.

In carrying out the investigation described in subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall consult with the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security and the employee engagement steering committee established pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of section 711 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 [6 U.S.C. 351(b)(1)] (as added by section 6401(a) of this Act).

Upon completion of the investigation described in subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security shall review the findings and recommendations of such investigation and implement a plan, in consultation with the employee engagement steering committee established pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of section 711 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to correct any relevant deficiencies identified by the Comptroller General of the United States in such investigation. The Under Secretary for Management shall direct the employee engagement steering committee to review such plan to inform committee activities and action plans authorized under such section 711 [6 U.S.C. 351].”