WATCH: During virtual town hall, US House Rep. Van Orden says UW-La Crosse science building, farm bill high on action list

US House Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) held an hour-long virtual town hall on Wednesday evening.

Van Orden answered submitted questions read to him by an assistant.

WATCH: Derrick Van Orden’s virtual town hall from Wednesday.

Van Orden’s virtual meeting came one night after US House Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) was in La Crosse as a special guest at a town hall downtown, where 300 people were in attendance.

Van Orden turned down an invitation to that event. He said the sponsors of that program, Opportunity Wisconsin, are actively working against him. Earlier this month, Van Orden sat down with that group in his DC office for two hours.

During Wednesday’s virtual meeting, Van ORden said the Prairie Springs Science Center project at UW-La Crosse would soon get a boost from the federal governement.

Van Orden said he got to meet with UW-L Chancellor, Dr. James Beeby, while in the area on Wednesday. Van Orden wants to get Phase II of the building finished.

“It looks like a fantastic project, and it’s endorsed by the majority of people here in La Crosse,” Van Orden said. “I think it’d be a great economic boost to everybody.

He added that he needs to finish paperwork on that project.

Prairie Springs first opened seven years ago, but the project was split into two phases by then-Gov. Scott Walker. Approval for the second building has been stalled by Republican officials in Madison since and the price of the building over that time has jumped from around $85 million to $190 million.

The second-term Congressman for Wisconsin’s 3rd District is frustrated with how long it takes to get certain things done in Washington.

Van Orden said he wants action on a farm bill sooner than some leaders of Congress do.

Van Orden admitted his ability to get a bill to the House floor, is “really almost nil,” because he’s only in his second term but he said he’s working with caucuses to get it passed.

“We have until September 30th, that’s when the extension expires,” Van Orden said, “and for some reason, Congress likes waiting until the last minute to do stuff.”

Congress was supposed to pass a farm bill in September of 2023. But, because they can’t agree on a bill, they’ve extended the 2018 farm bill twice.

A big disagreement is over funding for nutrition programs like SNAP and climate-related conservation initiatives. ​

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