Van Orden, Derrick

Derrick Van Orden is a Republican representative from Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district who has served in the House since 2023. As chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, he oversees legislation and oversight related to veteran employment, education, housing, and economic reintegration. The subcommittee chair position gives him significant influence over which bills advance, what hearings are held, and how the committee investigates veterans' issues. Van Orden brings substantial expertise to this role through his background as a retired Navy SEAL with 26 years of military service, including five combat deployments. His military experience and focus on veteran issues have shaped his legislative priorities.

Since taking the chair, Van Orden has advanced multiple bills aimed at improving veteran services. He championed the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, which established a permanent partial claims program to help veterans avoid foreclosure and was signed into law by President Trump. He has also led markups of legislation to modernize the GI Bill and address affordability for disabled veterans, and sponsored bills like the Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act and the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act, both of which passed the House. Beyond legislation, Van Orden has conducted aggressive oversight hearings on VA spending and management, questioning agency officials on budget shortfalls and inefficient spending on technology projects.

Van Orden's legislative profile reflects a strong focus on armed forces and national security issues, which account for 68 percent of his sponsored bills. He also serves on the House Agriculture Committee and House Armed Services Committee, giving him influence over farm policy and military readiness. His work emphasizes fiscal responsibility and accountability in government, particularly within the Veterans Administration. As a veteran himself, he has positioned his subcommittee work around practical solutions for veteran employment, housing stability, and mental health support.