Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Maddy summaryHR 6152, the Adopt GREET Act, requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt and use the GREET model - a scientific tool developed by Argonne National Laboratory - for calculating lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of transportation fuels. The bill mandates the EPA update this methodology every five years, starting 90 days after enactment, and specifically requires the first update to use the GREET model. This directly affects the EPA in its regulatory work and fuel pathway developers seeking approval for new fuels under existing EPA rules. The law ensures EPA analyses of fuel emissions align with the most current scientific model, with reporting requirements if updates are delayed.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers multiple veteran employment programs from the Department of Labor to the Department of Veterans Affairs, effective October 1, 2025. It consolidates services including job counseling, training, placement, employment rights administration, and homeless veterans reintegration under one department. The bill creates a new Deputy Under Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training position within the VA and replaces the "disabled veterans outreach program" with "veteran employment specialists." A joint study by both departments on implementation details must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 5702, the Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act, allows veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill to receive a housing stipend while taking summer online courses that last less than 12 weeks. It directly affects veterans enrolled in qualifying short-term, entirely distance-learning summer programs. The bill creates a new stipend calculation based on the national average housing allowance for military members with dependents, adjusted by the veteran's course load relative to full-time requirements (capped at 100%). This provides partial housing support for veterans pursuing online summer education, effective August 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe REPAIR Act requires car manufacturers to provide vehicle owners and independent repair shops with free, unrestricted access to vehicle data and repair information. It bans manufacturers from using technological or legal barriers to block access to diagnostics, tools, or aftermarket parts, and prohibits mandating specific brands for repairs or restricting customers’ choice of repair facility. The law also prevents manufacturers from requiring waivers of these rights as a condition of purchase, lease, or warranty service. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these provisions to ensure fair competition in vehicle repair.

Maddy summaryHRES 599 is a non-binding resolution urging the European Union to fully designate Hizballah (Hezbollah) as a terrorist organization, rather than just its military wing as the EU did in 2013. It recommends the EU implement sanctions, freeze assets, issue arrest warrants, and prohibit fundraising for Hizballah, aligning with actions taken by the U.S. and other nations. The resolution cites Hizballah’s history of attacks, its criminal activities in Europe (including drug trafficking and money laundering), and its ties to Iran as justification. It directly addresses EU decision-makers, calling for coordinated action to disrupt Hizballah’s operations across the continent. The resolution follows prior House efforts, including H.Res. 359 (2017) and H.Res. 558 (2022), which made similar requests.

Maddy summaryThe Stand with Israel Act prohibits U.S. federal funds from supporting the United Nations Human Rights Council until the UN Security Council and General Assembly adopt a resolution condemning Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This bill directly affects U.S. government funding for the UN Human Rights Council, blocking all assessed and voluntary contributions until the UN takes specific action. The key provision freezes U.S. financial support for the council based on Congress's finding that Hamas, with Iranian backing, launched a deadly attack resulting in civilian deaths and abductions. The law does not impact other UN funding or programs, focusing solely on the Human Rights Council's financial support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to request state or EPA permit modifications for military facilities to mandate quarterly testing of PFAS chemicals in stormwater runoff and implement controls to reduce discharges. It directly affects DoD facilities, which use PFAS-containing firefighting foams, and the states or EPA issuing their stormwater permits. Key provisions include a one-year deadline for permit revisions (requiring quarterly PFAS monitoring and best management practices) and dedicating at least 1% of annual PFAS remediation funds for stormwater testing at military sites. The bill aims to reduce PFAS pollution from military operations into waterways through enforceable monitoring and control measures.

Maddy summaryHR 5937, the National Children’s Museum Act, formally designates the National Children’s Museum (operating as a nonprofit under IRS 501(c)(3)) as the official national children’s museum and secures its space in the Ronald Reagan Building. The bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to enter a cooperative agreement providing the museum with rent-free use of its current 32,369-square-foot space (suite C-001) for the duration of its existing lease, subject to the museum maintaining its 501(c)(3) status and using the space as a children’s museum. Funding for this arrangement will come from existing GSA funds (Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation or International Trade Center funds), and the museum must submit annual reports on operations and finances to specific congressional committees. This procedural bill primarily affects the museum’s operational stability and space agreement, not broader policy.

This resolution urges the President to demand the release of all hostages in Gaza. The resolution also urges the President to maintain all applicable sanctions on Iran and to use all other coercive and diplomatic resources to secure the release of Americans wrongfully detained in Gaza.

Maddy summaryHRES 771 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. It condemns Hamas' actions, affirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls for the immediate release of hostages. The resolution also urges enforcement of existing laws restricting aid to terrorists and sanctions against Iran for supporting Hamas. It does not create new policies or allocate funds, as it is a symbolic statement of congressional support.