Rep. Paul Tonko

Maddy summaryHR 768, the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act, requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director to study how states and school districts currently teach about the Holocaust and antisemitism in K-12 schools. The study will examine curriculum requirements, teacher training, educational materials used, and assessment methods across all states and a representative sample of school districts and schools. It specifically aims to identify gaps, resources needed, and how schools address antisemitism and genocide prevention in their teaching. The Museum must submit a report to Congress within three years of the bill's enactment, detailing findings on current practices and challenges. This bill does not mandate new teaching requirements but seeks to understand existing approaches to Holocaust education.

Maddy summaryHR 764, the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act, removes two barriers for foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) seeking U.S. foreign assistance. It ensures these organizations cannot be denied funding solely because they provide health services (like counseling and referrals) using non-U.S. government funds, as long as those services comply with local laws. The bill also requires that foreign NGOs face the same rules on using non-U.S. funds for advocacy and lobbying as U.S. NGOs receiving similar aid. This directly affects international health-focused NGOs working in countries where U.S. aid is provided.

Maddy summaryHRES 67 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) for their 150+ years of service in providing anesthesia care across the U.S. health system. It highlights CRNAs' critical role in administering over 58 million anesthetics annually, enabling rural healthcare access, supporting military and VA facilities, and responding to public health emergencies. The resolution specifically encourages the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers to fully utilize CRNAs' expertise during National CRNA Week (January 19-25, 2025). As a non-binding acknowledgment, it directly honors the 65,000+ CRNAs and student anesthetists without creating new policy or funding.

Maddy summaryHRES 68 is a non-binding House resolution expressing strong disapproval of the President’s announcement to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. It commends states, businesses, and citizens supporting the Agreement, urges the President to reverse the withdrawal decision, and calls for Congress to prioritize U.S. climate leadership. The resolution does not create new laws or affect specific groups but formally states the House’s position against withdrawing from the international climate accord. It was introduced by 115 co-sponsors and reflects broad congressional concern about reversing U.S. climate commitments.

Maddy summaryHRES 61 is a symbolic resolution designating January as "Muslim-American Heritage Month" to celebrate the contributions of Muslim Americans to U.S. society. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups legally, but formally recognizes their historical and cultural impact through non-binding support. The resolution highlights Muslim Americans' roles in fields like business, science, military service, and the arts, while acknowledging challenges like religious discrimination. It urges the public to observe the month with ceremonies celebrating their heritage.

Maddy summaryHR 669, the "Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2025," requires Congress to declare war before the U.S. can conduct a first-use nuclear strike. It directly affects the President (who currently has sole authority to authorize such strikes), military commanders, and Congress by mandating that federal funds cannot be used for a first-use attack without a congressional declaration of war. The bill defines a "first-use nuclear strike" as an attack launched without prior confirmation that the U.S., its territories, or allies were first hit with nuclear weapons. This law changes policy by creating a constitutional check on presidential nuclear authority, requiring explicit congressional approval for the initial use of nuclear weapons.

Maddy summaryHR 628, the Honor Our Living Donors Act, amends federal law to protect living organ donors by changing how reimbursement grants operate. It prohibits grant recipients from considering the organ recipient's income when reimbursing donors and removes any expectation that organ recipients pay donors directly. The bill also requires the Secretary to submit an annual report detailing whether grants fully covered all donor expenses and estimating any funding gaps. This directly affects living organ donors participating in federal grant programs under the Public Health Service Act.

Maddy summaryHR 612, the Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2025, provides federal funding to help health care facilities improve safety. It authorizes the Secretary to award grants to hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers to cover costs for physical security (like structural improvements) and cyber security (such as data privacy tools and video surveillance systems). These grants directly help health care providers protect their facilities, staff, and patients from security threats. The bill creates a new funding mechanism under the Public Health Service Act, making specific security upgrades eligible for federal support.

Maddy summaryHR 609, the Assuring Medicare's Promise Act of 2025, directs revenue from the net investment income tax (currently applied to investment income) into the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. It expands the tax base to include certain business income for high-income individuals with modified adjusted gross income exceeding $400,000 ($500,000 for joint filers), with a phase-in to limit the tax increase. The bill ensures this tax revenue directly supports Medicare's hospital insurance program, applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. The changes do not alter the tax rate but broaden the income types subject to the tax for high earners.

Neighbors Not Enemies Act This bill repeals provisions authorizing the President to apprehend and remove from the United States the citizens of a particular nation, if the United States has declared war against that nation or that nation has threatened an invasion against the United States.