Rep. Derrick Van Orden tours Family & Children’s Center

LA CROSSE (WKBT) — Wisconsin congressman Derrick Van Orden toured the Family and Children’s Center in La Crosse on Saturday to learn about the challenges the nonprofit and similar organizations are facing.

Van Orden (WI-03) spoke with directors and staff to better understand how Congress can assist their efforts.

“The things they are doing here are incredibly impactful,” Van Orden said. “We have a mental health crisis with children and with our adults we have substance abuse issues, and they’re taking care of this at the grassroots level. This is the model that’s going to change the trajectory of our country and get us back on track.”

Van Orden said staff brought up workforce issues and worker qualifications, which he is now hoping to address in congress.

During his visit, Van Orden also spoke to the media about the new legislative session and said he’s working to get the federal Farm Bill passed.

The Republican representative also talked about President Trump’s January 6 pardons, saying while he agreed with some, he was against the pardons for those who assaulted police officers.

The story originally aired on WKBT on January 25, 2025.

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District Representative Derrick Van Orden toured the Family and Children’s Center in La Crosse Saturday.

The Congressman had a full look at the facilities and services provided by the center and wanted to get a better understanding of what it offered.

With a new administration in the White House, Van Orden was asked at the end of the tour what he thought of the recent pardons from President Trump for the January 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol.

The story originally appeared on WXOW on January 25, 2025.