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
Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin's 3rd District voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2025 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Following the vote to pass the FY25 NDAA out of the House, Congressman Van Orden issued a statement criticizing President Biden's leadership as Commander-in-Chief.
Van Orden stated, "President Biden has been an abject failure as Commander-in-Chief, putting our country and our allies at great risk. The morale of our servicemembers is abysmal and recruiting is at a historic low." He emphasized the importance of rebuilding military capabilities in light of increased global threats. "The FY25 NDAA halts the America-last policies pushed by this administration and bolsters our national defense to safeguard American interests," he added.
The act includes several provisions championed by Van Orden aimed at improving support for servicemembers transitioning to civilian life. "I am also proud to have many of my provisions included in this legislation that provide necessary transition assistance program reform for those moving from active-duty to veteran," he remarked.
Among these provisions are the Ensuring Military Access to Higher Education Benefits Act of 2024, which aims to streamline loan forgiveness applications for military servicemembers; an increase in leave days for National Guardsmen and Reservists; extended financial counseling through the Transition Assistance Program (TAP); and specific counseling pathways within TAP for Reservists.
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