Maddy summaryS 1312 establishes a new Office of the Special Investigator within the USDA to investigate competition violations in the meat and poultry industry. The Special Investigator, appointed by the Secretary, will investigate packers and live poultry dealers for violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) using tools like subpoenas and can bring civil or administrative actions against these regulated entities. The office must coordinate with the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and Homeland Security on competition and security matters within the food sector. This bill directly affects meat and poultry processors and dealers regulated under the Packers and Stockyards Act, creating a dedicated USDA office with specific investigative and prosecutorial authority for competition issues.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 1310, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act, denies tax deductions for employer spending aimed at influencing workers' decisions about union organizing or collective bargaining. It amends the tax code to block deductions for expenses like anti-union consultant fees, captive audience meetings, and other tactics that interfere with labor rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Employers must report such spending on tax returns with specific details, including dates, amounts, and whether activities relate to unfair labor practice charges. This directly affects businesses that engage in anti-union organizing tactics, removing a tax incentive for these activities while preserving deductions for standard union negotiations.
Maddy summaryThe Save Our Small Farms Act of 2025 amends the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NCAP) to better support small-scale and diverse farming operations, including urban, small-scale, and direct-to-consumer producers. It creates a streamlined application process with reduced paperwork, offers 25% to 50% premium discounts for transitioning to whole farm revenue insurance, and extends the deadline for reporting crop losses (for hand-harvested crops) beyond 120 hours. The bill also allows remote appraisals using drone footage or photos when loss adjusters are unavailable and increases payment limits to 100% for limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers. Additionally, it requires USDA outreach to these groups through extension offices and state agricultural departments.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours when imposing or increasing most import duties on goods entering the U.S., including an explanation of the reason and an assessment of impacts on U.S. businesses and consumers. Any new duty would automatically expire after 60 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving it. Congress can also disapprove a duty by passing a resolution, which would immediately end the duty. The bill does not apply to anti-dumping or countervailing duties under existing law.
Maddy summaryS 1275, the Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act, provides federal funding to help schools on federal lands improve their aging facilities. It targets federally impacted local educational agencies (those serving schools on federal property like Indian reservations or military bases) that struggle with poor building conditions and limited local funding capacity. The bill authorizes $250 million annually for four years to fund competitive emergency repairs for schools with health/safety hazards and formula grants for agencies with limited bonding capacity. Local matching requirements vary based on financial capacity, with some agencies required to contribute 10-25% of project costs depending on their ability to pay.
Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (S 1277) mandates specific annual funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) starting in fiscal year 2026. It sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage-based funding (ranging from 11.6% to 40% of a calculated base) for states providing special education services to children with disabilities aged 3-21. Funding becomes available on July 1 each year and remains accessible through September 30 of the following year, with amounts increasing annually through 2035. This directly affects all states receiving IDEA grants by guaranteeing minimum federal funding tied to the number of eligible students and national per-pupil spending averages.
Maddy summaryS 1289 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The bill specifies coin specifications (e.g., 90% gold/silver content, design requirements including "Never Forget"), sets a one-year issuance window (January 1, 2027-2028), and requires surcharges of $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver coin. These surcharges will be paid directly to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance, with coins sold at a price covering face value, surcharge, and production costs. The legislation does not impose new regulations or affect public policy but focuses on commemoration and funding for the museum.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow workers to deduct union dues directly from their taxable income (an "above-the-line" deduction) and restore deductions for other work-related expenses like uniforms or tools that were disallowed after 2017. It affects employees who pay union dues or incur job-specific costs, particularly those in unionized workplaces or professions requiring specialized equipment. The key mechanism creates a new deduction for union dues under existing tax code sections and revives the ability to itemize other work expenses, excluding them from the 2% floor on miscellaneous deductions. These changes would apply to tax returns filed for years beginning after December 31, 2024.
Maddy summaryThe Federal Firearm Licensee Act (S 1294) requires federally licensed firearm dealers to implement stronger security measures for their premises and firearms inventory. The bill mandates annual security certifications, physical inventory checks, and electronic recordkeeping for all firearms transactions, while repealing restrictions that previously limited the ATF's ability to share crime gun trace data with law enforcement. It also increases licensing fees for dealers and establishes new requirements for online marketplaces facilitating firearm sales. These changes aim to improve accountability and reduce firearms diversion to criminals.
Maddy summaryThe Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 requires the government to provide free legal counsel at no cost to unaccompanied children in immigration court proceedings, starting as soon as possible after a notice to appear is issued. It mandates that children receive their complete immigration file within 7 days and have at least 10 days to review it before court proceedings continue, unless they waive this time. The bill also requires annual reports to Congress on the number of children represented, their nationalities and ages, and the effectiveness of legal representation programs.