Rep. Paul Tonko

Bipartisan Ban on Congressional Stock Ownership Act of 2023 This bill prohibits Members of Congress and their spouses from owning or trading stocks, bonds, commodities, futures, or any other form of security. Each current Member must divest within 180 days after the bill is enacted and each new Member must divest within 180 days after becoming a Member. However, Members and their spouses have 5 years to divest from specified complex investment vehicles. The bill does not apply to certain investments, such as investments in widely held investment funds that are diversified and do not present a conflict of interest and investments held in government employee retirement plans. A Member or spouse who violates the bill may be subject to a fine of up to $50,000 for each violation. The bill permits a Member or spouse who is required to divest property under the bill to avoid recognizing gain for income tax purposes from the sale of that property to the extent that the Member or spouse purchases permitted bonds or diversified investment funds within 60 days of the divestiture.

Correcting Guam's History in the PACT Act This bill expands eligibility for a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Under the bill, service performed in Guam or its territorial waters between August 15, 1958, and July 31, 1980, provides a veteran who has a specified disease that is associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents with eligibility for a presumption of service-connection. (Under current law, the eligible time frame for service in Guam is between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980.)

Maddy summaryThe TRACK Act of 2023 requires federal agencies (including HHS, NIH, Defense, and Veterans Affairs) to create a public database tracking all government funding for biomedical research and development. It compiles specific details about contracts, grants, licensing agreements, and tax benefits related to drug, device, and therapy development - including funding amounts, recipient organizations, product names/prices, and patent information. The database must be searchable by the public within one month of the bill’s enactment and updated every two weeks. This directly affects federal agencies managing biomedical funding and the private companies, institutions, and researchers receiving that support. The goal is to increase transparency about how taxpayer dollars fund medical product development.

Maddy summaryHRES 214 is a symbolic resolution designating March as "Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month" to raise public awareness about these preventable conditions. It highlights that DVT/PE causes an estimated 100,000 U.S. deaths annually - more than HIV, breast cancer, or car accidents - and contributes to $10 billion in yearly medical costs. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally supports awareness efforts through congressional recognition. It aims to educate the public about risk factors like immobility, surgery, cancer, and postpartum periods, where DVT/PE is particularly dangerous. This resolution directly affects public health awareness efforts, not specific individuals or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes federal funding for opioid recovery centers through 2028, extending the current program's timeline. It directly affects existing opioid recovery centers and their partner organizations, such as mental health and substance use treatment providers. Key changes include allowing centers to use letters of intent from partners instead of full documentation to prove service coordination, and clarifying that centers may deliver services through third-party contracts or referrals while maintaining oversight. The bill streamlines administrative requirements without altering core service delivery standards.

Maddy summaryHR 1503, the Prescription Information Modernization Act of 2023, allows drug manufacturers to provide FDA-approved prescribing information exclusively via digital means (like email or online portals) to doctors and pharmacists, while requiring them to still offer paper copies upon request at no extra cost. The bill directly affects drug manufacturers and distributors, who must implement this change by 2025 (or when regulations take effect), and ensures prescribers and dispensers can choose their preferred format. Key provisions include mandating manufacturers to honor paper requests promptly without additional fees and requiring the Health Secretary to issue implementing regulations within one year. The law aims to modernize how medical information is shared while maintaining accessibility for healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - female telephone operators who served in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. They provided critical battlefield communications in France (connecting 26 million calls), wore military uniforms, and faced combat risks, but were denied veteran benefits for 60 years due to being classified as civilian contractors. The medal recognizes their pioneering service, devotion, and the decades-long struggle to gain military recognition. The award follows similar recognition for other WWII women veterans and aims to correct the historical injustice they faced.

Maddy summaryThe PHIT Act of 2023 allows individuals and families to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on their federal taxes. It covers gym memberships, fitness classes, and specific equipment used exclusively for exercise (like home workout gear), with a yearly limit of $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns). Expenses for activities like golf, hunting, or non-exercise-focused facilities (e.g., private clubs) are excluded, and equipment must be used solely for physical activity. This directly affects taxpayers who pay for qualifying fitness programs, making these costs partially tax-deductible under revised IRS rules.

This resolution expresses support for the designation of Pi Day. (Pi is an irrational number that equals the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter; it is a fundamental mathematical constant and central in mathematics, science, and engineering.)

Maddy summaryHRES 219 is a symbolic resolution (not a binding bill) expressing the House’s support for inclusive public schools. It urges schools to adopt historically accurate, diverse educational materials that reflect the nation’s diversity, foster parent-educator partnerships, and eliminate discrimination based on race, disability, LGBTQ+ identity, or other factors. The resolution emphasizes creating safe, well-rounded learning environments that prepare all students for success while protecting students’ civil rights. It directly affects public school districts, educators, families, and students by encouraging practices that promote equity and inclusion.