Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Maddy summaryThe SAVES Act establishes a 5-year pilot program where the VA awards competitive grants to accredited nonprofits (e.g., Assistance Dogs International or International Guide Dog Federation members) to provide service dogs to veterans with specific disabilities like mobility issues, PTSD, TBI, or visual/hearing impairments. It requires veterans with mental health conditions to undergo a VA mental health evaluation to confirm the dog is the optimal treatment, prohibits nonprofits from charging veterans fees, and mandates VA-provided veterinary insurance for the dogs. The program is funded with $10 million annually for five years and directly affects eligible veterans enrolled in VA care with qualifying disabilities and participating nonprofit service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the tax credit for railroad track maintenance from $3,500 to $6,100 per mile of track. It adds an inflation adjustment starting in 2026, linking future credit amounts to the cost-of-living index. The bill also extends the qualifying period for maintenance expenditures from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2024. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, directly affecting railroad companies that maintain tracks.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends survivor benefits to spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It revises eligibility rules so that veterans who die from ALS are treated as having met the required service duration for benefits, and surviving spouses must have been married for at least eight years prior to the veteran's death. The bill also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit a report within 180 days identifying other service-connected disabilities with high mortality rates that might qualify for similar treatment. These changes apply to veterans dying from ALS on or after October 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHR 7347 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report to Congress within 180 days after a psychedelic drug receives FDA approval or licensing under federal law. The report must state whether the drug will be added to the VA’s formulary (approved treatment list) and provide the Secretary’s justification for that decision. This bill does not change VA policy but mandates transparency about future decisions regarding psychedelic drugs for veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal premium support for certain crop insurance plans used by farmers. It raises the subsidy rate to 77% for lower coverage levels and 68% for higher coverage levels under enterprise or whole-farm revenue/yield protection plans (previously 70% and 65%). It also adjusts coverage requirements, reducing the minimum supplemental coverage level from 14% to 10% and increasing the maximum from 86% to 90%, while raising the premium subsidy for this option from 65% to 80%. Additionally, it mandates a study to evaluate expanding supplemental coverage to larger counties with specific coverage tiers, requiring a report to Congress within one year.

Maddy summaryHR 7923, the SOLAR Act, restricts USDA funding for solar energy projects that convert protected farmland. It prohibits financial assistance for projects converting "covered farmland" (agricultural land protected under existing law) for solar use, except for projects converting less than 1 acre or a small percentage of land (max 5 acres), and only if approved by local counties and municipalities. The bill requires applicants for exceptions to develop a plan protecting soil health during construction and operation, and fully restoring the land after the project ends. It also mandates that funds for decommissioning and land restoration must be secured before USDA disburses project funding.

Maddy summaryHR 7920, the AG VETS Act, creates a federal grant program to help military veterans enter or grow in farming and ranching. It authorizes $5 million annually (2025-2029) for competitive grants to eligible groups like land-grant universities, state agriculture departments, nonprofits, and community organizations. These grants fund training programs, curriculum development, workshops, and field experiences focused on farm business management. Recipients must match federal funds dollar-for-dollar, and the program directly supports veterans seeking agricultural careers through hands-on education.

Maddy summaryHR 3161, the CDFI Fund Transparency Act, requires the Treasury Secretary (or their designee) to annually testify before the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee about the operations of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. This testimony would cover the Fund's activities from the previous year and is requested at the discretion of the committee chairs. The bill does not change how the CDFI Fund provides funding but mandates regular reporting to Congress on its operations. It directly affects the Treasury Department's reporting obligations and the congressional committees overseeing the Fund. This is a procedural transparency measure, not a substantive policy change.

This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world; and (2) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Give the Gift of Blue program, which has donated more than 17,000 FFA blue jackets to FFA members in need.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the USDA to improve data collection for organic dairy farmers. It mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to track costs of organic feedstuffs (like corn, soybeans, and pasture), establish a monthly survey of organic milk prices paid to farmers (covering major production regions), and publish updated reports with organic milk data equivalent to conventional milk reports. The data collected will include regional organic milk production volumes, feed prices, and the average price farmers receive for their milk. These reports will help organic dairy farmers, processors, and policymakers understand market conditions and production costs.