Derrick Van Orden U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 3rd district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Derrick Van Orden U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 3rd district | Official U.S. House Headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Navy SEAL veteran Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) voted to pass the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The FY25 NDAA focuses on improving the quality of life for servicemembers and their families during and after their time of service, an issue that Rep. Van Orden has addressed as Chairman of Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee in collaboration with the Armed Services Committee.
“The House FY25 NDAA does right by our servicemembers and our mission to defend freedom around the world,” said Congressman Van Orden. “There are several provisions that will help our troops and veterans, including a 19.5% pay raise for enlisted servicemembers – the largest increase in history. Disturbingly, President Biden’s FY25 defense budget request excluded this pay increase. Our sitting Commander in Chief, who managed to become a multimillionaire on a public servant’s salary, is snatching the bread out of the mouths of those who are protecting the nation with their lives. This is unacceptable, and I implore him to reconsider this incredibly misguided decision and pay our troops what they deserve.”
The FY25 NDAA includes many of Rep. Van Orden’s policies and priorities:
- The TAP Promotion Act, introduced by Rep. Van Orden, which allows representatives of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to provide information to military members participating in pre-separation counseling under the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).
- The Ensuring Military Access to Higher Education Benefits Act of 2024, introduced by Rep. Van Orden, which streamlines the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program application process and makes it easier for current and former military servicemembers to have their direct loans forgiven.
- Increasing the rate of leave for National Guardsmen and Reservists from 15 days to 20 days based on language found in Rep. Van Orden’s Reserve and National Guard Military Leave Enhancement Act.
- Extending financial counseling for servicemembers going through TAP and establishing a counseling pathway in TAP specific for Reservists based on language found in Rep. Van Orden’s Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember’s Experience Act.
Prior to its passage, Rep. Van Orden spoke on the House Floor in support of the bill.
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