Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the House of Representatives' position that Congress should take steps to prevent the privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS), ensuring it remains a federal independent agency. It highlights USPS’s constitutional role, self-sustaining nature (relying on service revenue, not taxpayer funds), and critical functions - serving 168 million addresses daily, supporting rural communities, and underpinning e-commerce. The resolution opposes privatization, noting it would raise prices, reduce services, and harm the $1.9 trillion mailing industry. As a non-binding resolution, it reflects the House’s stance but does not create new law or policy.

Maddy summaryThe STAR Act of 2025 adds a 25% tax credit for qualified semiconductor design expenses incurred by U.S. companies. It directly affects businesses conducting semiconductor design in the United States, covering both in-house costs (like wages and supplies for U.S. design work) and contracted design services. The credit excludes duplicating existing products, cosmetic design, or activities unrelated to performance or reliability improvements. This incentive expires for design expenses paid after December 31, 2036.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American civil rights advocate who challenged the World War II internment of Japanese Americans. It recognizes his legal fight against Executive Order 9066, which led to the unjust incarceration of over 120,000 people, and his lifelong advocacy against racial discrimination. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. The bill is purely commemorative and does not create new legal rights or funding requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 623, the LICENSE Act of 2025, modifies federal commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations to improve testing flexibility and standards. It requires the Transportation Secretary to revise two key regulations: (1) allowing third-party examiners to administer knowledge tests only if they hold valid certification, complete specific training, and have 1 unit of required instruction (per 49 CFR §384.228), and (2) enabling any state to administer skills tests to CDL applicants regardless of their state of residence or where they received training (per 49 CFR §383.79). These changes directly affect CDL applicants, states administering tests, and third-party examiners. The bill focuses on streamlining testing processes while establishing clearer examiner qualifications and removing geographic barriers for skills testing.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 requires federal funding to provide training and containment devices for first responders, specifically to prevent exposure to fentanyl and other dangerous substances during emergencies. This bill directly affects police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who face accidental exposure risks while responding to drug-related incidents. The key provision amends existing federal law to mandate both training resources and the purchase of specialized containment equipment for first responder use. The policy change aims to reduce health risks from secondary exposure without altering drug enforcement or criminal law.

Maddy summaryThe PURR Act of 2025 creates a uniform federal regulatory framework for pet food in the United States, replacing inconsistent state and historical livestock feed regulations. It preempts state laws on pet food labeling, advertising, and marketing (while preserving state food safety oversight), establishes a 90-day review timeline for new pet food ingredients, and allows ingredients listed in the AAFCO publication to be considered "Generally Recognized as Safe" without specific FDA approval. The bill sets clear rules for ingredient labeling (including "sometimes present" for fats, flavors, and grains) and permits certain marketing claims like "natural" or "hairball control" without premarket approval, provided specific conditions are met. This legislation directly affects pet food manufacturers, pet owners, and veterinarians by creating a more consistent regulatory environment for pet food products nationwide. The FDA must issue specific guidance on pet food nutrition, labeling, and safety within 18 months of enactment.

Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 This bill expands Medicare coverage of chiropractic services to include all services provided by chiropractors, rather than only subluxation corrections through manual manipulation of the spine.

This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.

Maddy summaryHR 485, the Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes Congress to award a gold medal in recognition of Muhammad Ali's lifetime contributions to sports, civil rights, and humanitarian causes. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to strike the medal and present it to Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali, following his death in 2016. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure with no policy impact, solely honoring Ali's legacy through a symbolic medal.

Maddy summaryHR 488, the Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025, requires the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of State to jointly assess how transnational criminal organizations use social media platforms and messaging services for recruitment and illicit activities near U.S. borders. Within 180 days of enactment, they must submit a report detailing such usage and current countermeasures. By one year after enactment, the agencies must develop a national strategy focused on improving interagency coordination, enhancing intelligence analysis, and conducting youth outreach in border communities to counter cartel recruitment. The strategy must include privacy and civil liberties protections, with annual progress reports to Congress for five years. The bill does not authorize new law enforcement powers or funding.