Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal meat and poultry inspection laws to allow state-inspected meat and poultry products to be sold across state lines. It removes the previous restriction that limited such products to sales only within the state where they were inspected, enabling interstate commerce for products meeting state inspection standards. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to permit interstate shipments of properly inspected state products and prohibits states from blocking the movement or sale of these items. It directly affects small meat and poultry producers, processors, and retailers who rely on state inspection programs instead of federal oversight. The change aims to expand market access for these businesses without altering inspection standards.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits "reverse payment" agreements where brand-name drug companies pay generic or biosimilar manufacturers to delay entering the market, which harms competition. It creates a presumption that such agreements are anticompetitive if a generic or biosimilar company receives value in exchange for delaying market entry, with exceptions for standard settlements involving early market entry rights or reasonable litigation expenses. The bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to enforce this new prohibition and requires certification of such agreements, aiming to enhance competition and lower drug costs for consumers. This would directly affect brand-name drug companies, generic manufacturers, and biosimilar biological product manufacturers.
Maddy summaryThis bill prioritizes states that have never received a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suicide prevention grant. It requires the VA Secretary to give all eligible applicants in such states a scoring preference during grant evaluations until at least one grant is awarded there. The law directly affects veterans in states without existing VA suicide prevention grants by ensuring these states receive fair consideration for funding. Key mechanisms include prioritizing entities in states with prior unawarded applications and applying a scoring preference for all applicants in states with no prior grants. This aims to expand access to mental health support for veterans nationwide.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1326 (Food Security and Farm Protection Act), prohibits state and local governments from imposing additional production standards on agricultural products sold across state lines. It directly affects farmers, food producers, and businesses involved in interstate agricultural trade by preventing states from creating new rules for farming that occurs in another state, unless federal or the producing state's rules already cover it. Key mechanisms include banning such extra state rules and creating a federal court process for affected parties (like producers or distributors) to challenge those rules and seek damages. The law also requires courts to issue temporary injunctions against enforcement of challenged regulations while cases are resolved, unless the state proves it will likely win and would suffer severe harm without the rule.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 159) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring the late Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr. (1932-2024), who represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate from 1972 to 1997. It commemorates his career, including his work on energy policy, flood control, and Louisiana conservation efforts, and requests the Senate adjourn in his memory while sending condolences to his family. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or laws.
Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 45 seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have allowed California to enforce its Advanced Clean Cars II vehicle emission standards. The resolution uses the congressional disapproval process under federal law to declare the EPA rule invalid, preventing California from implementing its stricter pollution controls for cars and trucks. If passed, this resolution would stop the rule from taking effect, meaning California could not override federal vehicle emission standards with its own requirements. The bill directly affects California's ability to set state-level environmental regulations for motor vehicles and the EPA's regulatory authority.
Maddy summarySJRES 46 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning California's vehicle emission standards. The rule, submitted in 2023, relates to California's pollution control requirements for motor vehicles, including advanced clean trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, and heavy-duty engine emissions. This resolution would block the rule from taking effect using a specific federal disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, meaning California's current standards would remain without the EPA's formal approval for these specific provisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 47) seeks congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that approved California's stricter vehicle pollution standards. Specifically, it targets the EPA's "Omnibus Low NOx Regulation" for motor vehicles and nonroad engines, which California had submitted for federal approval under waiver authority. If passed, the resolution would block this EPA rule from taking effect, preventing California's state-level pollution controls from being implemented under federal oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to clarify that certain less-than-lethal projectile devices are exempt from firearm restrictions under Title 18. It defines these devices as those not firing standard ammunition, operating below 500 ft/s velocity, unlikely to cause serious injury, and incompatible with common firearm magazines. The law directly affects manufacturers and users of such devices by establishing a clear legal standard for their classification. It also requires the Attorney General to review device requests within 90 days to confirm compliance with the new definition.
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.