Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Maddy summaryHR 6916 requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study how states outreach to veterans about SNAP benefits. Specifically, it directs the GAO to examine state efforts in high and low food insecurity areas, including coordination with Veterans Health Administration facilities and veteran service organizations (VSOs), to identify challenges and best practices for connecting eligible veterans to SNAP. The report, due within 18 months of enactment, will focus on increasing enrollment among veterans who qualify but are not currently participating. This bill directly affects veterans who may be eligible for SNAP but face barriers to accessing benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 6880, the Hardwood Products Access and Development Program Act, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to eligible entities - including states, industry nonprofits, universities, and research institutions - to boost the domestic hardwood industry. The grants fund specific activities like research on hardwood’s carbon benefits, market promotion, consumer education, and demonstration projects showcasing hardwood’s sustainability. It allocates $5 million annually from 2024 to 2029 for these efforts, with grants requiring clear goals and expected outcomes like increased production or consumer awareness. The bill defines "domestically produced hardwood products" as those containing 90% domestic hardwood material and ensures it does not override state or tribal laws.

Maddy summaryHR 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create mandatory training for all VA supervisors and certain other designated employees. The training program, to be developed within one year of enactment, covers key supervisor duties like performance appraisals, addressing workplace issues (including hostile environments), and managing employee conduct. All affected employees must complete the initial training within 18 months and refresher sessions every two years. The bill directly impacts VA supervisors and specific leadership roles, focusing on improving management practices through structured, adult-learning-based instruction.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1407) commemorates the 12th anniversary of the August 5, 2012, shooting at the Oak Creek Sikh Gurdwara in Wisconsin, which killed seven people. It specifically honors the victims - Paramjit Kaur, Suveg Singh Khattra, Satwant Singh Kaleka, Ranjit Singh, Sita Singh, Prakash Singh, and Baba Punjab Singh - and expresses condolences to their families. The resolution condemns the hate crime, recognizes the Sikh community’s resilience ("chardi kala"), and applauds first responders like Lieutenant Brian Murphy who saved lives. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the tragedy and calls for continued efforts against religious discrimination.

Maddy summaryHRES 1391 is a formal House resolution congratulating the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) on its 100th anniversary. It recognizes the AMA's role since 1924 in promoting motorcycling, representing riders, sanctioning events, and preserving motorcycle heritage through its Hall of Fame in Ohio. This resolution has no legislative effect - it is a symbolic gesture of appreciation with no policy changes or direct impact on individuals or regulations.

Ensuring State Attorney General Accountability Act  This bill prohibits a tax-exempt charitable organization from providing direct funding to state attorneys general for the purpose of a lawsuit, investigation, or remuneration of personnel.

Maddy summaryHR 9111 redesignates Apostle Islands National Lakeshore as "Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve," creating two distinct areas: Apostle Islands National Park (where hunting and trapping are prohibited) and Sand Island National Preserve (which maintains existing hunting and fishing rules from the previous lakeshore designation). The bill updates all federal references to the area to reflect the new name, clarifies that the Ashland Harbor Breakwater Light is not included in park boundaries, and requires the National Park Service to add interpretive features about regional history at visitor centers. It does not create new regulations but formalizes the existing administrative structure under the National Park System. The change affects park management, visitors' activities, and federal documents referencing the area.

Maddy summaryHR 9053, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act of 2024, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify the Attorney General within 30 days of enactment that it improperly sent certain veterans' personal information to the national background check system. This applies to veterans whose benefits were managed by a fiduciary (under 38 U.S.C. §5502) but who were not legally adjudicated as "mental defectives" under 18 U.S.C. §922(g). The bill corrects a procedural error where the VA transmitted this information to the FBI's background check system without legal basis. It directly affects veterans wrongly flagged due to this data transmission error, aiming to remove them from the system's records.

Maddy summaryHR 9084, the STOP the SWAMP Act, amends congressional investigation rules to impose penalties on federal employee witnesses who refuse to answer questions or commit perjury. It adds misdemeanor penalties (fines of $100-$1,000 and up to 12 months in jail) for witnesses who refuse to answer relevant questions during investigations, and mandates debarment from all federal employment for such violations or for final convictions of perjury (under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1621 or 1001). The bill also creates a 180-day window for Congress to pass a joint resolution rescinding salary funds for violating federal employee witnesses, requiring expedited committee reviews and voting within strict timeframes (15 days for committee, 20 days for full chamber). This bill directly affects federal employees summoned as witnesses in congressional investigations, focusing on accountability during official inquiries.

Maddy summaryHR 9060 extends tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers and users through 2025, replacing the previous 2024 expiration date. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the biodiesel credit (Section 40A) and biodiesel mixture credit (Section 6426) for fuels sold or used after December 31, 2024. The bill also adds a provision preventing double benefits by requiring the credit amount to be zero for fuels already claiming another credit under Section 45Z(a). This directly affects biodiesel producers, refiners, and businesses using these fuels for tax purposes.