Rep. Paul Tonko

Farmers First Act of 2025 This bill extends through FY2030 and revises the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). This Department of Agriculture program provides competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide stress assistance programs (i.e., professional agricultural behavioral health counseling, helplines, and resources) to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and agriculture-related occupations. The bill specifies that the grant funding for farm telephone helplines and websites may also be used for crisis lines. Further, FRSAN grant recipients may establish referral relationships with providers, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, health centers, rural health clinics, and critical access hospitals.

Maddy summaryHR 4382 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics/Paralympics and 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics/Paralympics. It specifies gold, silver, and half-dollar coin designs with defined mintage limits (e.g., up to 100,000 $5 gold coins for each event), all bearing inscriptions like "2028" or "2034" and standard coin features. A surcharge ($5-$50 per coin) is added to sales, with all funds directed to the respective Olympic committees to support event hosting and legacy programs like youth sports. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring surcharge revenues to cover all design, production, and marketing expenses before funds are disbursed.

Maddy summaryHRES 575 is a symbolic resolution designating July 10th as "Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day." It honors lineworkers who face significant risks daily - working at heights near live wires and responding to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. The resolution specifically references Henry Miller, an early leader of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while troubleshooting an outage. It encourages the public to recognize these workers' contributions but does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to create and update guidance within 90 days (and every five years) to ensure hygienic handling of breast milk, baby formula, infant water, juice, and cooling accessories during airport security screening. The guidance must be developed with maternal health organizations and set standards to minimize contamination risks when these items undergo re-screening or additional testing. It also mandates a one-year audit by the DHS Inspector General to assess TSA compliance and evaluate how screening technologies impact the processing of these infant items. The bill directly affects traveling parents and caregivers who transport these essential supplies.

Maddy summaryHR 4303 establishes a new Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers within the State Department, appointed by the President and reporting to the Secretary of State. The envoy investigates deaths or detentions of U.S.-supported aid workers, advocates for better security coordination between aid groups and foreign forces, and reports annually to Congress on security challenges and U.S. humanitarian aid distribution. The bill also prohibits U.S. security assistance to countries that unlawfully kill or fatally injure aid workers unless those countries investigate violations and implement corrective actions. Key provisions include mandatory reports to Congress on aid worker safety, coordination with the UN, and requirements for a 90-day investigation into aid worker deaths or detentions. This directly affects U.S. humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict zones and foreign governments receiving U.S. security assistance.

Maddy summaryThe Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to help high-need schools hire and retain mental health professionals like counselors, psychologists, and social workers. It targets schools in the top 15% of need (based on student poverty or counts) that lack required staff ratios, such as one counselor per 250 students. Grants fund recruitment incentives (e.g., student loan repayment), retention programs, and evidence-based mental health services, with recipients required to contribute 25% of costs from non-federal funds. Schools must report annually on staff numbers, student-to-staff ratios, and retention rates to track progress toward improved mental health access.

Maddy summaryHRES 550 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It formally encourages all U.S. citizens to celebrate Pride Month to learn about LGBTQIA+ history, including the Stonewall Inn and Compton's Cafeteria uprisings. The resolution affirms that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights and emphasizes the ongoing struggle for equality. It has no legal effect but serves as a symbolic statement of support for the LGBTQIA+ community and its history.

Maddy summaryHR 4244 prohibits Medicaid from covering conversion therapy, defined as any paid practice attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. This applies to all Medicaid enrollees and providers starting in the first quarter after the law takes effect. The bill explicitly excludes supportive services like gender transition assistance or counseling focused on acceptance and coping. It directly affects Medicaid-funded healthcare providers who offer conversion therapy and enrollees who might otherwise access such services through Medicaid.

Maddy summaryThe No Secret Police Act of 2025 requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other Department of Homeland Security officers working on border security or immigration enforcement to visibly display their official badges or uniforms and provide identification during detentions or arrests. It prohibits officers from wearing face coverings that conceal their face during these interactions. The bill also mandates that the Department report to Congress about tactical gear policies and research technology to improve badge visibility in different conditions like weather or lighting. These changes aim to increase transparency in immigration enforcement encounters.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 549) is a non-binding House measure expressing support for designating June 26 as "LGBTQI+ Equality Day." It commemorates three landmark Supreme Court rulings on June 26 (2003, 2013, and 2015) that ended criminalization of same-sex intimacy, struck down marriage discrimination, and established marriage equality. The resolution encourages public celebration of this day to honor these milestones and educate about ongoing discrimination faced by LGBTQI+ communities. It also acknowledges the need for future legislation to address discrimination in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new legal requirements but formally recognizes these historical court decisions.