Sen. Mike Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents U.S. federal courts from issuing orders (such as injunctions, stays, or declarations) that stop enforcement of laws against people or entities not directly involved in a lawsuit (non-parties). It requires that such orders only apply if a non-party is represented through a party acting under standard legal rules. The law applies to all federal courts, including those in U.S. territories, and modifies related procedures for temporary restraining orders and declaratory judgments to enforce this restriction. Its core change limits court authority to affect non-parties regarding statutes, regulations, or government actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to expand exemptions for small-scale meat processing. It allows owners (including partial owners) of animals to slaughter, prepare, or transport meat from those animals exclusively for their household, nonpaying guests, or employees without federal inspection. The exemption now explicitly covers individuals who own animals "in whole or in part," broadening the previous scope limited to "animals of his own raising." If an owner uses an agent for these activities, they must maintain custody and specific identification of the meat as determined by the Secretary.

Maddy summaryThis bill nullifies specific Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules related to fair housing implementation, including the 2015 "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" final rule and related 2021 and 2023 regulations. It also prohibits federal funding for a database tracking racial disparities in housing access and requires HUD to consult with state, local, and public housing officials before developing new fair housing policies. The bill directly affects local governments, state housing agencies, and HUD by blocking enforcement of existing fair housing rules and mandating collaborative policy development. Key mechanisms include eliminating specific HUD regulations, banning a federal disparity database, and requiring consensus-based recommendations through structured federal-state-local consultations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would abolish the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) within three years of enactment, transferring airport security screening responsibilities to private companies. It requires creating a new Federal Aviation Administration office to oversee security standards while prohibiting private contractors from conducting warrantless searches. The bill mandates a 90-day reorganization plan for transferring TSA functions and requires regular progress reports to Congress. This directly affects all commercial airports and travelers who currently undergo TSA screening.

Maddy summaryThis bill reforms the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and improves poverty measurement methods. It raises work requirements for SNAP recipients (increasing the age from 60 to 65 for some requirements), requires states to gradually increase their SNAP matching funds from 10% to 50% over nine years, and mandates new reporting on employment and training program outcomes. The bill also establishes a Commission to value government benefits for poverty measurement, requiring the Census Bureau to collect more comprehensive data about federal benefits, income, and taxes. Additionally, it clarifies rules about EBT card usage with penalties for unauthorized use and makes changes to fraud investigation procedures.

Maddy summaryThe SHORT Act redefines firearm classifications under federal law to remove certain restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. It eliminates special prohibitions for these weapons when used lawfully, preempts state taxes or registration requirements for them, and requires federal destruction of historical records related to these firearms. The bill directly affects owners of short-barreled rifles and shotguns, as well as state governments that previously imposed separate regulations. Key provisions include revising IRS definitions to exclude shotgun shells from "destructive devices," mandating record destruction within one year of enactment, and blocking state laws targeting these weapons in interstate commerce. These changes aim to standardize federal treatment while removing duplicative state-level barriers.

Maddy summarySJRES 39 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule interpreting the Clean Electricity Production Credit (Section 45Y) and Clean Electricity Investment Credit (Section 48E) tax provisions. If passed, this resolution would nullify the IRS rule, directly affecting businesses and individuals claiming these clean energy tax credits. The resolution uses the Congressional Review Act process to block the rule from taking effect, without altering the underlying tax code. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1148) directs the termination of the U.S. Department of Education by December 31, 2026. It would end the federal agency responsible for administering education programs, including student loans, school funding, and civil rights enforcement. The legislation directly affects the Department of Education and its staff, as well as the millions of students, schools, and institutions currently served by federal education programs. No additional mechanisms or replacement structures are specified in the bill text.

Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act This bill expands the E-Verify program by requiring all employers to use it and permanently reauthorizes the program. Currently, E-Verify use is voluntary for most employers, although some states mandate its use. All employers must use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all recruited, referred, or hired individuals, including current employees who were never verified under the program. Failure to use E-Verify shall create a rebuttable presumption that the employer is violating immigration law. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must generate weekly reports about individuals who have received a final nonconfirmation of employment eligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must use the report to enforce immigration laws. The bill increases civil and criminal penalties for hiring non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are not authorized to work. DHS must bar repeat offenders and those criminally convicted from holding federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. The Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, and DHS must jointly establish a program to share information to help identify non-U.S. nationals who are not authorized to work. The bill establishes the Employer Compliance Inspection Center within Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The center's duties include processing I-9 employment eligibility verification forms and ensuring compliance with employment eligibility laws. DHS must report to Congress on ways to simplify procedures relating to I-9 forms and on whether the I-9 process should be eliminated.

Maddy summaryThe Working Families Flexibility Act of 2025 allows private sector employees to earn time off instead of cash for overtime hours, at a rate of 1.5 hours of time off for every hour of overtime worked. To qualify, employees must have worked at least 1,000 hours for their employer in the prior 12 months, and agreements for time off must be voluntary, in writing, and not tied to employment conditions. Employers must pay cash for unused time off by January 31 each year (or another agreed 12-month period), with a cap of 160 hours of accrued time. The bill excludes public employees, includes enforcement provisions for violations, and expires 5 years after enactment.