U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-La Crosse)
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Elected U.S. Legislators
Recent News About U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-La Crosse)
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Van Orden Introduces the Ensuring Military Access to Higher Education Benefits Act
Representatives Derrick Van Orden, Don Davis, Scott Peters, and Elise Stefanik have introduced the Ensuring Military Access to Higher Education Benefits Act of 2024, aimed at simplifying the process for military servicemembers to have their student loans forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.Congressman Van Orden emphasized the importance of supporting servicemembers, stating, “Those who answered the call to serve have made great sacrifices for our nation... The Ensuring Military Access to Higher Education Benefits Act does right by our...
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Van Orden Introduces the MGIB-SR Tuition Fairness Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, alongside Congressman Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky, has introduced the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR) Tuition Fairness Act. This legislation aims to improve educational opportunities for veterans by requiring public higher education institutions to charge in-state tuition rates for veterans using MGIB-SR.Congressman Van Orden, Chairman of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, stated, "One of my top priorities is increasing educational access and career opportunities for veterans. The MGIB-SR...
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Van Orden Votes to Impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas
Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) has voted to impeach U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, citing the ongoing border crisis as the primary reason for his decision. Van Orden expressed his concerns about the safety and security of the United States, accusing Mayorkas and the Biden administration of disregarding the rule of law.In a statement, Van Orden asserted, "We are experiencing the worst border crisis in history under President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas. The disregard for the safety and security of the United States, as well as...
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Van Orden Speaks on the House Floor in Support of Providing Emergency Supplemental Funds for Israel
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) delivered a powerful speech on the House Floor today in support of H.R. 7217, a bill aimed at providing emergency supplemental funds for Israel. The funding is a response to the horrific attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7th, 2024.Van Orden began his remarks by expressing his agreement with a colleague, acknowledging the connection between the recent attacks and what he described as "the incredible amount of strategic weakness the Biden administration has shown." He drew a parallel between the actions of Putin...
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Van Orden Urges Governor Evers to Join His Request for State, Federal Resources Following Recent Hospital Closures in Western Wisconsin
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden has called on Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to take immediate action in response to the recent closures of hospitals and medical facilities in Wisconsin's Third Congressional District. In a letter addressed to Governor Evers, Van Orden emphasized the urgent need for state and federal resources to provide medical care alternatives for the affected communities.The closures of the Hospital Sisters Health System's Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, as well as Prevea Health's facilities in...
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Van Orden, House, Senate Colleagues Call for Biden Administration to Withdraw Electric Vehicle Mandate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden, along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, is urging the Biden administration to withdraw its proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. In a letter addressed to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman, the lawmakers expressed their concerns about the potential impact of the proposed standards.According to the letter, the proposed CAFE standards would require automakers to more than double the average...
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Van Orden Expresses Disappointment over Closure of Hospitals in Western Wisconsin
Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) has expressed his disappointment over the closure of two hospitals in western Wisconsin. Hospital Sisters Health System announced the closure of Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, while Prevea Health has closed all its facilities in the Chippewa Valley.Van Orden stated, "I am very disappointed to see the closure of Hospital Sisters Health System's Sacred Health and St. Joseph's hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, and Prevea Health's closure of all its facilities throughout the Chippewa...
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Van Orden Votes Against Continuing Resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) expressed his dissatisfaction with the Continuing Resolution (CR) in a recent statement. Van Orden, who has previously supported two CRs in the past four months, highlighted the lack of progress in passing Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) funding and addressing the nation's pressing issues."We have a historic crisis and national security threat at our southern border, billions in wasteful government spending, and still no strategic plan for the war in Ukraine," Van Orden stated. He emphasized that the CR brought to the House...
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Van Orden Introduces Legislation to Rename Tomah VA to Honor Jason Simcakoski
WASHINGTON. D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden, along with the Wisconsin Delegation, has introduced legislation to rename the Tomah Veterans' Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin to the 'Jason Simcakoski Veterans' Affairs Medical Center'. This move aims to honor the memory of Jason Simcakoski, a former United States Marine Corporal who tragically lost his life due to over-prescription of pain medications at the Tomah VA."Jason and I did not serve together, but we are fellow veterans and Brothers in Arms," said Congressman Van Orden. "As a nation, we owe him...
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Van Orden, Reschenthaler, Kilmer Lead Effort to Combat Reserve & Guard Suicide Rates
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressmen Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) have introduced legislation aimed at addressing the alarming suicide rates among former members of the Reserves and Guard. The bill, H.R. 6873, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include these individuals in their annual suicide report.The VA's annual suicide report previously included a separate statistic on suicides of former members of the Guard and Reserve who were not federally activated. However, this statistic was omitted from the 2020 report....
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Van Orden Announces 2023 Congressional App Challenge Winner
ONALASKA, W.I. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) has announced the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for students in Wisconsin’s Third District. The competition, which aims to encourage students interested in STEM fields, allows middle and high school students to showcase their skills in designing and creating applications."I enjoyed hosting my first ever Congressional App Challenge and seeing the great talent of Wisconsin’s Third District students," said Congressman Van Orden. He expressed his admiration for the winner, Aditi, who developed an app for...
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Van Orden Supports FY24 National Defense Authorization Act
Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) has expressed his support for the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA, which provides funding for the United States Department of Defense and sets the legislative framework for the military, received Van Orden's vote in favor.In explaining his decision, Congressman Van Orden, a former United States Navy SEAL veteran, emphasized the importance of adequately funding and focusing on the military's missions to ensure the safety and security of the United States and its allies. He stated, "Ensuring...
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Rep. Van Orden Supports Resolution to Continue Investigations into President Biden
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) has expressed his support for House Resolution 918, which permits Committees within the House of Representatives to proceed with ongoing investigations into President Joe Biden's alleged involvement in his family's corrupt business activities. The resolution aims to ensure that the executive branch acts honestly, morally, and in the best interest of the nation.According to Congressman Van Orden, House Committees have uncovered a significant amount of information that raises concerns about President Biden's conduct....
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Van Orden Calls Out State Department for Failing to Provide Information on Potential Refugee Resettlement in Eau Claire
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) has expressed his concern and disappointment with the U.S. Department of State for failing to provide requested information regarding the potential resettlement of refugees in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In a letter addressed to Secretary Antony Blinken, Congressman Van Orden requested a detailed report on the vetting procedures conducted on the potential refugees by December 4, 2023."The silence from the State Department is incredibly concerning," said Rep. Van Orden. "I have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of...
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Van Orden, Wisconsin Delegation Members Urge Biden Administration to Protect American Dairy Market Access
In a joint effort, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and other members of the Wisconsin Delegation have written a letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, calling on the Biden administration to take action to protect American dairy market access. This comes in response to the recent ruling by the USMCA dispute settlement panel, which allows Canada to continue limiting American dairy market access.The letter urges the administration to share its plan for overturning the ruling and to outline its strategy for...
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Van Orden, Pappas Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve VA Management Accountability
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden and Congressman Chris Pappas have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at improving accountability at the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA). The Training Responsible And Informed National (TRAIN) VA Employees Act is designed to establish new management training for VA supervisors, management officials, and senior executives.In a statement, Congressman Van Orden expressed his appreciation for the work done by the VA for veterans and their families, stating, "It is important that we continue to do our due diligence to...
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Congressman Van Orden Statement on 2023 VA Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
On November 17, 2023, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) issued a statement in response to the release of the Department of Veterans' Affairs 2023 Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. The report highlights the urgent need for a change in how mental health challenges among veterans are addressed.In his statement, Congressman Van Orden expressed his deep concern over the findings of the report, stating, "The findings in the VA's 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report are deeply troubling." He further emphasized the personal impact of veteran suicides,...
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Van Orden Supports Government Funding Measure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden from Wisconsin's 3rd district has expressed his support for the passage of the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, known as H.R. 6363. In a statement, Rep. Van Orden emphasized the importance of responsibly funding the government while addressing the needs of his constituents.Rep. Van Orden acknowledged the challenges faced by the House of Representatives due to the delay in the appropriations process caused by some of his colleagues. Despite this, he remained committed to finding a path forward to...
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Van Orden’s Warrior Call Resolution Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden's bipartisan Warrior Call Resolution has passed the House, receiving applause from the congressman himself. The resolution aims to encourage Americans to connect with members of the Armed Forces and veterans, providing support and promoting mental health treatment and solutions.In his statement, Rep. Van Orden highlighted the challenges faced by warfighters during their service and the toll it takes on their mental health and well-being. He expressed his pride in the resolution's passage, emphasizing that it sends a message...
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Derrick Van Orden Champions Clean Water Funding for Wisconsin’s Third District in FY24 Interior Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin's Third District celebrated the inclusion of two community project funding provisions in the FY24 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which was passed by the House today. The bill allocates $2 million for the installation of equipment to filter PFAS from drinking water in Eau Claire, and an additional $2 million for the establishment of a new water system in the Town of Campbell in La Crosse.In expressing his support for the provisions, Rep. Van Orden emphasized the importance of...