Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions Act of 2025 or the DIRECT Act of 2025 This bill allows meat and poultry products inspected by State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs to be sold by retail stores, restaurants, or similar retail-type establishments over the internet and shipped by a carrier in commerce (other than for export to a foreign country). The state-inspected meat and poultry products must be shipped directly to household consumers and in normal retail quantities (e.g., do not exceed 300 pounds for beef, 100 pounds for pork, and 27.5 pounds for lamb). As background, under the inspection programs, the Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service allows states that meet certain requirements to inspect meat and poultry. The state-inspected products are currently limited to intrastate commerce, unless a state opts into a separate Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3065, the LABEL Act, requires clear labeling of the country of origin and production method (farm-raised or wild) for fish sold in the U.S. It directly affects fish producers, importers, and retailers who sell covered fish commodities. The bill mandates that this information appear in a conspicuous location on packaging or displays, using a font size at least as large as the description of the fish type (e.g., "farm-raised salmon"). This labeling must be easily readable by consumers under normal shopping conditions. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill adds specific land to the Talladega National Forest, as shown on a map dated September 6, 2024. The Secretary of Agriculture can acquire this land using existing federal land acquisition tools (like the Weeks Law) from willing sellers, using donated or appropriated funds. The newly acquired land will be managed as part of the National Forest System under standard federal rules. It directly affects the Talladega National Forest's boundaries and potential landowners in the designated area.
Maddy summaryS 3037, the No AliPay Act of 2025, prohibits U.S. persons from conducting any financial transaction with AliPay (China) Internet Technology Company Limited. This affects U.S. citizens, permanent residents, U.S.-based businesses, and individuals physically in the U.S. who currently use AliPay for payments or processing. The bill bans all transactions involving the movement of funds or use of financial services connected to AliPay, including its apps. It applies broadly to any financial activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, as defined in the bill.
Maddy summaryThe Kayla Hamilton Act updates rules for placing unaccompanied alien children (UACs) in U.S. custody. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consult with immigration and law enforcement before placing a UAC, and to conduct background checks on potential sponsors. Children aged 12 or older who are flight risks, dangerous, or have certain criminal histories (like gang-related tattoos or past convictions) must be placed in secure facilities. The law also bans placing UACs with non-citizen sponsors or those with serious criminal records, and mandates detailed background information to be shared with immigration authorities.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all commercial driver's license (CDL) testing - including knowledge tests, entry-level training, and third-party assessments - to be conducted solely in English. It also mandates that new CDL applicants must hold a standard driver's license for at least one year before applying for a CDL, though current CDL holders are exempt. States issuing non-domiciled CDLs (licenses to non-residents) risk losing that authority if they fail to comply with these rules or federal standards. The law directly affects new commercial drivers seeking CDLs and states managing non-domiciled license programs.
Maddy summaryS 3008, the "No Shari’a Act," prohibits U.S. courts from enforcing judgments based on Shari’a or foreign law if those judgments violate constitutional rights, particularly in family law cases involving marriage, divorce, child custody, or inheritance. The bill requires courts to apply only U.S. law and clarifies that contract clauses selecting foreign law remain valid unless enforcement infringes constitutional rights. It applies to all federal, state, and territorial courts, including arbitration decisions subject to judicial enforcement. The bill does not restrict personal religious practices but mandates that court decisions comply with U.S. constitutional protections.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3009) denies U.S. immigration benefits, visas, or admission to any non-citizen who advocates for imposing Sharia law in ways that violate constitutional or U.S. legal rights. It allows officials to revoke existing immigration benefits, deem individuals inadmissible or deportable, and remove them from the U.S. for such advocacy. Key provisions add "advocation of Sharia law" as grounds for inadmissibility under Section 212(a) and deportability under Section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill also prohibits judicial review of removal decisions made under these provisions. It directly affects non-citizens whose advocacy of Sharia law conflicts with U.S. law or rights.
Maddy summarySRES 446 is a ceremonial Senate resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's founding on October 13, 1775. It recognizes the Navy's historical role in protecting U.S. interests and acknowledges its current size (over 290 ships, 3,700 aircraft, and 590,000 personnel). The resolution expresses appreciation for the service of Navy personnel past and present and reaffirms Senate support for the Navy as a key national defense force. It has no binding effect or policy changes, serving solely as a symbolic tribute.
Maddy summaryThe Employee Rights Act (S 2984) amends key labor laws to change union representation processes and worker classification. It requires secret ballot elections for collective bargaining (Section 2), prohibits non-lawfully-status employees from voting in union elections (Section 3), and establishes privacy protections for employee information used in organizing efforts (Section 4). The bill also changes how workers are classified as employees versus independent contractors (Section 5) and creates a new "independent negotiating" option for workers who leave unions (Section 7). These changes directly affect union representation processes, employee classification, and privacy protections for workers across various industries.