Rebecca Cooke won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin’s 3rd District, setting up a high-stakes November rematch against GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden in a key swing district, backed by the DCCC and broad party endorsements.
The White House is turning Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s swing district in Wisconsin into a top domestic stop for Cabinet officials—featuring high-profile visits (including President Trump) and policy-focused events—as Republicans seek to localize national wins and shore up a vulnerable incumbent ahead of the midterms.
In Wisconsin’s dairy belt, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a steadfast Trump ally, defends White House economic policies blamed for farm labor shortages and rising costs as he seeks a third term; President Trump and cabinet aides are rallying to boost his bid, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, while critics point to tariffs’ damage to farmers and argue the district’s political balance may be shifting in a race that has already seen a swing from Obama to Trump.
In Wisconsin, JD Vance’s stop to shore up Rep. Derrick Van Orden highlights a GOP effort to sell a Trump-era prosperity narrative, but voters and business leaders say tariffs are hurting manufacturers and farmers, prices are rising, and immigration-focused attacks—along with debates over rural health care and ACA subsidies—are unlikely to win over skeptical rural voters amid the cost-of-living concerns.
Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden expressed his support for releasing the House Ethics Committee report on misconduct allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been nominated by President-elect Trump for attorney general. Despite the committee's decision not to release the report, which includes sexual misconduct claims, Van Orden believes transparency is crucial for informed decision-making. Meanwhile, Rep. Sean Casten is pushing for the report's release through a privileged resolution, potentially forcing a House vote.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden has called for Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to resign over a scandal involving $10.8 million in erroneous bonuses paid to senior VA executives. The bonuses were authorized under the PACT Act, intended to retain employees in critical shortage roles. An investigation revealed that McDonough was not fully informed about these payments. Despite recouping most of the funds, McDonough faces increasing pressure from lawmakers for accountability and systemic changes within the VA.
Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden confronted fellow Republican Matt Gaetz and other GOP hardliners on the House floor over threats to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson for planning to put a $95 billion foreign aid package to a vote. Van Orden dared them to file the motion to oust the speaker, calling their bluff and calling Gaetz "tubby" after being called a "squish." The conflict reflects divisions within the House Republican conference over aid to U.S. allies, with some opposing additional support to Ukraine and prioritizing America's border concerns. Van Orden has been critical of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, accusing them of working to obstruct President Trump's governance.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell defended Senate pages after Republican lawmaker Rep. Derrick Van Orden cursed out a group of teenage pages in the Capitol Rotunda. Van Orden called them derogatory names and told them to leave, prompting Schumer to express shock and call for an apology. McConnell supported Schumer's defense of the pages, stating that everyone on his side of the aisle felt the same way. Van Orden defended his remarks, stating that the Capitol should not be treated like a frat house. Senate pages, often high school students, play an important role in the day-to-day operations of the Senate and are praised for their service by Schumer.