Bill ID: 119/hr/3387
Last Updated: June 26, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

ID: V000135

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Subcommittee Hearings Held

June 11, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The ETS Act (Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember's Experience Act) claims to improve programs for transitioning servicemembers and veterans. How noble. In reality, it's a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, designed to placate the public while maintaining the status quo.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill makes various tweaks to existing law, including:

* Expanding preseparation counseling for servicemembers * Standardizing pathways for transitioning servicemembers * Increasing coordination between the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor

Sounds impressive, but let's not be fooled. These changes are mere window dressing, designed to create the illusion of progress while doing little to address the systemic issues plaguing our veterans.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects:

* Servicemembers and veterans (theoretically) * The Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor * Lobbyists and special interest groups (the real beneficiaries)

**Potential Impact & Implications:**

* This bill will do little to address the root causes of veteran unemployment, homelessness, and mental health issues. * It will, however, provide a convenient photo opportunity for politicians to pretend they care about veterans. * The increased bureaucracy and red tape will likely lead to more inefficiencies and waste in an already bloated system.

In conclusion, the ETS Act is a classic example of legislative malpractice. It's a shallow attempt to address complex problems, designed to appease the public while maintaining the status quo. The real disease here is the corrupting influence of special interests and the politicians who cater to them. This bill is just another symptom of that disease.

Diagnosis: Legislative Theater-itis (LT), characterized by grandiose language, empty promises, and a complete lack of substance. Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong prescription of accountability and transparency. Prognosis: Poor, unless we fundamentally change the way our government operates.

Related Topics

Transportation & Infrastructure Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$116,850
22 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$10,650
Committees
$0
Individuals
$106,200

No PAC contributions found

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
2
HO CHUNK NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
3
FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$3,300
4
AIPAC PAC CONDUIT ACCOUNT
1 transaction
$500
5
ALLIANCE OF BANKERS FOR WISCONSIN
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

1
LEVY, EDWARD C.
4 transactions
$26,400
2
ANDERSON, JOHN R. MR.
1 transaction
$10,000
3
BROIN, JEFF
1 transaction
$6,600
4
UIHLEIN, RICHARD E. MR.
1 transaction
$6,600
5
CROELL, KURT
1 transaction
$6,000
6
MARQUIS, ALEXANDER
1 transaction
$5,600
7
MARQUIS, BENJAMIN L.
1 transaction
$5,600
8
MARQUIS, JASON
1 transaction
$5,600
9
MARQUIS, THOMAS
1 transaction
$5,600
10
BERNICK, CAROL L.
1 transaction
$5,000
11
ANDERSON, LINDA
1 transaction
$3,400
12
HUNT, WOODY L.
1 transaction
$3,300
13
JOHNSON, JANE
1 transaction
$3,300
14
JOHNSON, RONALD H.
1 transaction
$3,300
15
KILROY, JOHN
1 transaction
$3,300
16
LAWSON, LAWRENCE
1 transaction
$3,300
17
LONG, CHARLES
1 transaction
$3,300

Donor Network - Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 23 nodes and 25 connections

Total contributions: $116,850

Top Donors - Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

5 Orgs17 Individuals