Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Maddy summaryThe Warriors to Workforce Act increases VA educational assistance payments for veterans in their first year of full-time apprenticeships or on-the-job training from 80% to 90% of the full rate. It directly affects veterans using Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) benefits for these programs. The key provision amends 38 U.S.C. §3313(g)(3)(B) to adjust the payment percentage. This policy change provides higher financial support during the initial training year.

Maddy summaryHRES 1073 is a non-binding resolution designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week" to recognize the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization’s role in developing agricultural education leaders and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s State FFA Association. It does not create new laws or affect any specific groups or policies; instead, it formally expresses the House’s support for this commemorative week. The resolution highlights FFA’s mission to prepare students for leadership and careers in agriculture, food, and natural resources. As a symbolic gesture, it has no direct legislative or financial impact on constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows reserve service members to be reimbursed for renting a car when traveling over 150 miles for required training or duty. It expands existing travel allowances to cover actual vehicle rental costs during the full training period plus one additional travel day before or after. The policy directly affects reserve members who incur these expenses for mandatory military activities. The Department of Defense must update travel regulations within 180 days of the bill's passage to implement these changes.

Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act This bill requires certified national governing bodies (NGBs) of amateur sports (e.g., USA Gymnastics) to prohibit a person whose sex is male from participating in an amateur athletic competition that is designated for females, women, or girls. Under the bill, male  means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.

Maddy summaryHR 7539, the SAFE Act, requires the Comptroller General to study "chameleon carriers" (motor carriers evading safety rules by changing names or ownership) and develop an automated tool for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to detect such applicants during Department of Transportation (DOT) number registration. The bill mandates the tool to identify patterns like shared ownership, similar addresses, insurance lapses, or continuity of operations to flag suspicious applications. It directly affects motor carriers applying for DOT numbers and FMCSA staff, who must use the tool to review applications while preserving final decision-making authority. The law also requires an appeals process for denied applications, data privacy safeguards, and a two-year effectiveness report on the tool.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1063) is a symbolic measure designating February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education Month" to recognize the importance of career and technical education (CTE) programs. It does not create new policies or funding but formally supports CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand jobs by encouraging educators and parents to promote CTE as a valid educational pathway. The resolution references CTE's alignment with workforce needs and cites bipartisan support from past legislation like the 2018 Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act. It affects no specific individuals or programs, serving only as a non-binding statement of support.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to accelerate joint development and integration of defense technologies between the two countries. It directs the U.S. Secretary of Defense, with Israel’s agreement, to identify Israeli-origin technologies for rapid adoption into U.S. military systems, focusing on areas like counter-drone systems, missile defense (including "Golden Dome for America"), AI, cyber defense, and directed energy. The initiative requires annual congressional reporting on progress, partnerships with industry, and technology transitions, while authorizing $150 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2029. It aims to strengthen bilateral defense innovation and streamline the use of Israeli technologies within U.S. military programs.

Maddy summaryThe Contract Our Veterans Act of 2026 establishes new federal contracting preferences for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. It allows agencies to award contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold without competition to qualified veteran-owned businesses if they meet performance, pricing, and value criteria, and creates restricted competitions exclusively for these businesses. The bill sets a mandatory governmentwide goal of at least 5% of all federal prime and subcontract awards going to veteran-owned small businesses each fiscal year. It also amends reporting requirements to track these contracts separately across agencies, including through sole-source awards and restricted competitions. This directly affects veteran-owned small businesses seeking federal contracts and federal agencies responsible for procurement.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames "Apostle Islands National Lakeshore" as "Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve," creating two distinct areas within the same unit. The Park (with stricter rules) prohibits hunting/trapping except under tribal agreements, while the Preserve maintains existing hunting, fishing, and trapping rules from before the bill. Boundaries are defined by a specific map, and the National Park Service must add interpretive signage about regional history and tribal connections at visitor centers. Tribal treaty rights to hunt, fish, and gather remain fully protected under this law.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to update the federal definition of "motorcycle" in transportation regulations within 120 days of enactment. The new definition specifies that a motorcycle must be a three-wheeled vehicle designed to be ridden while sitting astride, steered by handlebars, and capable of exceeding 30 mph. It directly affects motorcycle manufacturers, regulators, and riders by aligning federal safety standards with this updated definition in the Code of Federal Regulations. The change ensures regulatory consistency for vehicles meeting these specific design and performance criteria.