Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a section of law governing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee compensation to clarify that disputes over whether an employee received the correct pay amount under existing rules are not considered "adjustment of compensation" under the statute. It specifically excludes grievances challenging pay accuracy from the definition of "establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation." The change directly affects VA employees covered under Section 7421(b) who might file such pay-related grievances. The bill makes a technical clarification to streamline how these disputes are categorized within VA's compensation process.

Maddy summaryThe Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2024 establishes new safety requirements for high-hazard trains carrying hazardous materials, including speed limits of 50 mph (40 mph in urban areas) for trains with 20 or more flammable liquid tank cars. The bill requires rail carriers to provide real-time electronic train consist information to emergency responders and State emergency commissions, including details about hazardous materials being transported, routes, and emergency response contacts. It mandates railroads to develop and regularly update hazardous materials emergency response plans, with triennial reviews by the Federal Railroad Administration. The act also phases out older tank cars by December 2027, requiring all tank cars to meet DOT-117 specifications for flammable liquids, and increases civil penalties for rail safety violations up to $5 million.

Universal Savings Account Act of 2024 This bill creates a new tax-exempt savings account to be known as a Universal Savings Account (USA). The bill allows eligible taxpayers to open an account and contribute up to $10,000 (adjusted for inflation) to an account each year. Contributions must be in cash and the allowable amount of contributions is subject to a phaseout based upon the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income.  Distributions from a USA are excludible from gross income, for income tax purposes, and may be transferred to a taxpayer's spouse or child upon the death of the taxpayer.

Maddy summaryHRES 1355 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors lineworkers who maintain electrical infrastructure under hazardous conditions, including during disasters, and commemorates Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while troubleshooting an electrical outage. The resolution encourages public recognition of these workers' contributions but does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHR 8941, the "No Tax on Tips Act," creates a new tax deduction for workers who receive cash tips. It allows employees to deduct the full amount of cash tips they report to their employer (via statements required under tax law) from their taxable income, reducing their overall tax burden. This deduction applies to both itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers and is exempt from standard limitations on miscellaneous deductions. The provision takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, directly benefiting service industry workers like servers and bartenders who rely on cash tips.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Small Business Act to add penalties for small businesses falsely claiming goods or services are "Made in America" to win federal contracts. It increases the disqualification period from 3 to 5 years for such violations, applying existing penalty provisions (subsection (d)(2)) with this modification. The bill directly affects small business concerns that submit false claims to secure federal contracts. It does not create new requirements but strengthens enforcement against deceptive marketing in federal procurement. The change is procedural, targeting false claims in contract awards without altering broader "Made in America" policy.

Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2024 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, overtime compensation required to be paid by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (hours of work in excess of 40 in a week).

Maddy summaryHRES 1336 is a House resolution requesting Vice President Kamala Harris to initiate Section 4 of the 25th Amendment. It asks her to convene Cabinet officers to formally declare President Biden unable to carry out presidential duties and assume acting presidential powers. The resolution is procedural and has no legal effect - it only makes a formal request to the Vice President. It does not change any laws or require action from the President or Cabinet.

Maddy summaryHR 8903, the UPRISERS Act, would revoke the student visas of international students on F, J, or M visas who are convicted of assaulting a police officer or participating in riot-related violence. It specifically targets offenses like inciting riots, organizing riots, committing violence during riots, or aiding others in such activities. The bill amends immigration law to make these convictions grounds for visa revocation and deportation. This policy directly affects international students holding these specific visa types who face criminal charges for the listed violent acts.

Maddy summaryHR 8902, the FAFSA Act of 2024, terminates federal student aid eligibility for individuals convicted of assault against police officers or specific riot-related offenses (including inciting, organizing, or participating in riots involving violence). It requires affected individuals to repay any grants received under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, converting those grants into unsubsidized loans that accrue interest from the grant award date. These converted loans are ineligible for any forgiveness, cancellation, or repayment assistance programs under federal law. The bill applies to aid received for programs of study ongoing at the time of the conviction.