Background

Britt Van has joined the office of Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-8) as Legislative Director, a move that adds a seasoned policy hand to the Michigan congresswoman's team. Van's portfolio covers appropriations, armed forces and national security, crime and law enforcement, international affairs, and veterans affairs.

Van spent nearly six years at the New Democrat Coalition, rising from Policy Adviser to Senior Policy Adviser and ultimately Policy Director before departing in January 2023. During that stretch, the NDC was at the center of some of the Democratic Party's sharpest internal fights, including the prolonged battle over the Build Back Better Act and ongoing criticism from progressives over the coalition's corporate donor base.

Before the NDC, Van served as a shared staff member across several House Democratic offices, including those of Rep. Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA-1), Rep. Scott H. Peters (D-CA-50), Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA-35), and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6).

What McDonald Rivet Is Working On

Rep. McDonald Rivet has been active on legislation that falls squarely within Van's issue areas. On national security, McDonald Rivet introduced the Military PFAS Transparency Act of 2025, which would require the Department of Defense to submit annual reports to Congress on PFAS contamination cleanup at military installations and establish a publicly accessible tracking dashboard. She also introduced the Military Financial Literacy Act of 2026, which would expand financial and housing counseling for active-duty service members and those transitioning out of the military.

On crime and law enforcement, McDonald Rivet co-led the Protect Your PIN Act of 2025 with Rep. Juan Ciscomani, which would expand federal grant programs to help local law enforcement agencies combat identity theft.

Among her legislation that has advanced the furthest, the Rapid Disaster Relief Act and the Great Lakes Icebreaker Act of 2025 have both reached the committee consideration stage, though neither has cleared committee.

Committees to Watch

Rep. McDonald Rivet sits on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, along with several subcommittees under each. For Van, the most relevant activity is likely to come through the appropriations and veterans affairs lens.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held a markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill on April 17, 2026, shortly after Van joined the office. The full Appropriations Committee followed with its own markup on April 21, 2026.

On the Transportation and Infrastructure side, the committee held a hearing on maritime supply chain security in April 2025, covering legislation including the Maritime Supply Chain Security Act and the Secure Our Ports Act, both of which touch on national security.

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