Congress Monitor Build Handoff

Area: Full Workup (one official, all sections) (eo_full_workup) Filed: 2026-05-03T02:30:52.698Z Source: External LLM via /handoff/congress (attempt #79615) Resolved official: Paul Tonko (entity #11143) Ingest result: 50 facts · 49 sources · 4 contradictions · 8 voting_records · 3 skipped

Briefing Sent

Single super-prompt covering every per-official research area in one LLM call: donor mapping, silences, contradictions, telling votes, and constituency baseline. The LLM returns ONE JSON object; the ingest pipeline dispatches each section to its typed table independently, so a malformed or no-data section never blocks the rest.

Result

{ "target_official": { "name": "Paul Tonko", "bioguide_id": "T000469" },

"donor_mapping": { "facts": [ { "fact_text": "Career (2007-2024): Raised $11,077,556; Spent $10,477,860; Cash on hand $811,660; Debts $0. Top career industry: Health Professionals ($972,571). Top career contributor: GE Aerospace ($96,718).", "date_occurred": "2024-12-31", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00030196&cycle=CAREER" }, { "fact_text": "Top contributing industries (2007-2024): Health Professionals ($972,571), Electric Utilities ($586,311), Public Sector Unions ($465,470), Retired ($459,917), Lawyers/Law Firms ($424,150).", "date_occurred": "2024-12-31", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00030196&cycle=CAREER" }, { "fact_text": "Top contributing organizations (2007-2024): GE Aerospace ($96,718 total — $18,718 individuals + $78,000 PAC), American Federation of State/Cnty/Munic Employees ($93,075), Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union ($90,000), American Federation of Teachers ($85,000), League of Conservation Voters ($84,810).", "date_occurred": "2024-12-31", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00030196&cycle=CAREER" }, { "fact_text": "2023-2024 election cycle: Raised $1,541,765; Spent $1,668,388; Cash on hand $599,502. Source of funds: 83.4% from large individual contributions, 16.6% from PACs. JStreetPAC processed $13,572 in bundled contributions (25 transactions).", "date_occurred": "2024-12-31", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2024&id=NY20" }, { "fact_text": "Quiver Quantitative estimates Tonko's net worth at $32,500 as of January 2026 — the 474th highest in Congress, one of the lowest. He reported approximately $0 invested in publicly traded assets.", "date_occurred": "2026-01-03", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release:+U.S.+Representative+Paul+Tonko+Issues+Statements+on+Foreign+Affairs+Topics" }, { "fact_text": "Tonko is an engineer by training and previously served as President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). He sits on the Energy & Commerce Committee and chairs its Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee.", "date_occurred": "2023-01-03", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://tonko.house.gov/about" }, { "fact_text": "FEC candidate committee ID: C00455830 (Paul Tonko for Congress). Tonko sponsored or co-sponsored 25 earmarks totaling $36,145,000 in fiscal year 2010, ranking 109th out of 435 representatives.", "date_occurred": "2010-09-30", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/earmarks?cid=N00030196" } ], "connections": [ { "donor_entity_name": "American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees", "relationship_type": "major_donor", "description": "2007-2024: $93,075 total ($6,075 individuals + $87,000 PAC).", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00030196&cycle=CAREER" }, { "donor_entity_name": "Machinists & Aerospace Workers Union", "relationship_type": "major_donor", "description": "2007-2024: $90,000 (all PAC contributions).", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00030196&cycle=CAREER" }, { "donor_entity_name": "League of Conservation Voters", "relationship_type": "major_donor", "description": "2007-2024: $84,810 total ($69,950 individuals + $14,860 PAC).", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00030196&cycle=CAREER" } ] },

"silences": { "no_data": true, "reason": "Tonko has held multiple in-person town halls across his district throughout 2025-2026 — including Schenectady High School (March 2025), Saratoga High School (July 2025), a Plattsburgh joint town hall with AOC (July 2025), a Troy town hall at HVCC (June 2025), and a Feb 2026 town hall covered by WAMC. He actively engaged constituents on OBBB, Medicaid, SNAP, federal workforce cuts, and DHS/ICE. He publicly criticized Republicans who avoid town halls. No primary-source-grade silence gap comparable to other members was identified." },

"contradictions": { "claims": [ { "claim_text": "Tonko voted to provide $60.8 billion in Ukraine military and humanitarian aid (H.R. 8035) on April 20, 2024, calling it essential to 'stand with our allies in Ukraine' and condemning Republican 'gamesmanship that has withheld needed aid.' All 210 Democrats supported the bill.", "claim_date": "2024-04-20", "claim_type": "vote", "source_url": "https://tonko.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4108" }, { "claim_text": "Tonko voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 7147) on January 22, 2026, stating: 'ICE has terrorized and brutalized our communities, and I will not vote to deliver another cent of taxpayer dollars to bankroll these horrific acts.' He cited the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by ICE agents and detentions of minors.", "claim_date": "2026-01-22", "claim_type": "vote", "source_url": "https://ebs.publicnow.com/view/8B21EBDC6E0B99A98840F02F77C0F195B1D05799" }, { "claim_text": "On November 12, 2025, Tonko voted against ending the 43-day government shutdown (H.R. 5371), stating healthcare subsidies played a role in his Nay vote. He said: 'That's not good enough protection for the many people, the tens of millions, that will see a doubling or tripling of their health care premiums.' Only six Democrats joined Republicans to end the shutdown.", "claim_date": "2025-11-12", "claim_type": "vote", "source_url": "https://www.informnny.com/news/state-news/ny-congressman-reacts-to-shutdown-ending/" }, { "claim_text": "On February 17, 2026, Tonko announced he 'secured $14,093,000 in federal funds' for 15 community projects across NY-20. His statement said: 'For two years, my team and I have pushed hard to ensure these worthy projects were included in the federal spending package.' The announcement covered projects in Ballston Spa, Mechanicville, Scotia, Schenectady, Albany, Troy, and several other municipalities.", "claim_date": "2026-02-17", "claim_type": "statement", "source_url": "https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/rep-paul-tonko-secures-14-million-in-federal-funds-for-ny-20" }, { "claim_text": "Tonko is rated 'Strongly against crypto' by Stand With Crypto based on 1 statement and 6 votes. He voted against FIT21 (the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act) in May 2024 — a landmark crypto market-structure bill that passed 279-136 with 71 Democratic votes including Nancy Pelosi. He also voted against the resolution to repeal SAB 121 and tweeted critically about Ross Ulbricht's pardon.", "claim_date": "2024-05-22", "claim_type": "vote", "source_url": "https://www.standwithcrypto.org/politician/paul-tonko/" }, { "claim_text": "Tonko voted against the FY2024 NDAA on July 14, 2023 citing 'extreme, partisan issues that undermine national security, strip women in uniform of access to health care, and target LGBTQ+ servicemembers.' He also voted against the final FY2025 NDAA in December 2024.", "claim_date": "2023-07-14", "claim_type": "vote", "source_url": "https://tonko.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3827" } ], "contradictions": [ { "claim_a_idx": 0, "claim_b_idx": 1, "type": "position_evolution", "severity": "medium", "narrative": "Tonko voted to send $60.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine — affirming the use of American force projection abroad — while simultaneously voting to defund DHS, calling ICE 'terrorizing' and refusing to 'deliver another cent.' The contradiction is between robust support for national security spending abroad and opposition to domestic law enforcement funding, even as both fall under the broader umbrella of federal security appropriations." }, { "claim_a_idx": 2, "claim_b_idx": 3, "type": "statement_vs_disclosure", "severity": "medium", "narrative": "Tonko voted against ending the 43-day government shutdown that harmed SNAP recipients, federal workers, and small businesses in his district — citing healthcare subsidies as the reason. Three months later, he took credit for $14 million in CPF from the 'federal spending package' that had been approved in the appropriations process. While his CPF was in different legislation than the shutdown CR, the pattern of voting against bipartisan funding vehicles while later claiming credit for earmarks within the appropriations process mirrors the 'vote no and take the dough' dynamic documented in other members." }, { "claim_a_idx": 4, "claim_b_idx": 0, "type": "platform_vs_vote", "severity": "low", "narrative": "Tonko's anti-crypto voting record — opposing FIT21, SAB 121 repeal, and GENIUS Act — is consistent with his progressive regulatory philosophy but sits in tension with his otherwise pro-technology, pro-clean-energy brand. GE Aerospace, his top career donor ($96,718), operates in a sector increasingly exploring blockchain applications. Tonko's opposition to crypto is ideological rather than donor-driven, but positions him against an industry that 71 House Democrats voted to support." }, { "claim_a_idx": 5, "claim_b_idx": 0, "type": "position_evolution", "severity": "low", "narrative": "Tonko voted against the FY2024 and FY2025 NDAAs citing LGBTQ+ and women's healthcare concerns, yet voted for Ukraine military aid — both are defense/security bills. His selective support reflects a willingness to fund foreign military operations while opposing domestic defense authorization, a distinction that draws attention to which national security priorities he endorses and which he rejects from his Energy & Commerce Committee position rather than a direct Armed Services role." } ] },

"telling_votes": [ { "bill_id": "S. 5 / H.R. 29", "title": "Laken Riley Act — On Passage", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2025-01-07", "roll_call_url": "https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/20256", "why_it_matters": "Tonko voted with 156 Democrats against mandatory ICE detention for undocumented immigrants charged with theft (264-159). His district is 96.2% citizens with only 9.14% foreign-born — immigration enforcement has limited direct impact. The vote aligned with his progressive caucus position and contrasted with 46 Democrats who crossed party lines. Tonko did not issue a public statement on this specific vote, unlike his more forceful DHS/ICE funding statements later in the session.", "category": "constituent_aligned" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 1", "title": "One Big Beautiful Bill Act — On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2025-07-03", "roll_call_url": "https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025190", "why_it_matters": "Tonko voted with all 212 Democrats against the bill (218-214) and was one of its most visible critics. He held a press conference at the Albany-Rensselaer train station calling it 'a big betrayal bill' and later described it as 'one of the most egregious betrayals of the American public in history.' He specifically cited the 300,000+ Medicaid recipients in nearby north country and Hudson Valley districts who would lose coverage. The bill raised the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 — relevant for his $287,300 median-home-value district — but Tonko prioritized the bill's Medicaid and SNAP cuts over SALT relief. His district has 7.6% poverty and 11.9% broader poverty per Data USA, with significant SNAP and Medicaid populations. The AFL-CIO scored his vote 'Right' (with working people). The NRCC noted Tonko voted against the bill's No Tax on Tips and No Tax on Overtime provisions.", "category": "constituent_aligned" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 8035", "title": "Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024", "vote": "yea", "vote_date": "2024-04-20", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8035", "why_it_matters": "Tonko voted with all 210 Democrats to send $60.8 billion in military, humanitarian, and economic aid to Ukraine. He was a vocal advocate: he 'delivered a fiery one minute on the floor strongly condemning Republican gamesmanship that has withheld needed aid for Ukraine.' The vote was unanimous among Democrats, making it party-aligned rather than individually notable, but it demonstrated robust support for American force projection abroad — a posture that stands in contrast to his subsequent Nay votes on NDAA and DHS/ICE funding, creating a selective national-security voting pattern.", "category": "constituent_aligned" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 7567", "title": "Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (Farm Bill) — On Passage", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2026-04-30", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7567", "why_it_matters": "Tonko voted with 197 Democrats against the Farm Bill (224-200). He stated the bill 'fails in the most basic obligations to support farmers and working families' and 'locks in the $187 billion cuts to food assistance made in Republicans' One Big Ugly Bill.' His district has 7.6% poverty and food-insecure families served by the Regional Food Bank in Latham, which he visited in April 2026. As a senior Democrat on Energy & Commerce (not Agriculture), the Farm Bill is not his committee jurisdiction. Only 14 Democrats crossed party lines; Tonko's vote was party-aligned. The AFL-CIO did not score this vote.", "category": "constituent_aligned" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 7147", "title": "Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2026-01-22", "roll_call_url": "https://ebs.publicnow.com/view/8B21EBDC6E0B99A98840F02F77C0F195B1D05799", "why_it_matters": "Tonko was one of the most forceful Democratic voices opposing DHS/ICE funding, stating: 'ICE has terrorized and brutalized our communities, and I will not vote to deliver another cent of taxpayer dollars to bankroll these horrific acts.' He cited the shooting of a U.S. citizen mother of three, deaths in DHS custody, and detention of a 5-year-old boy. Only 7 Democrats supported the bill. His district is 96.2% citizens with modest immigration enforcement impact, but the Albany area includes immigrant communities. The vote was constituent-aligned for his progressive base. Tonko's DHS opposition also aligned with labor donors (AFSCME: $93K) that opposed privatization of TSA and other federal workforce cuts.", "category": "constituent_aligned" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 5371", "title": "Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — Ending the 43-Day Government Shutdown", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2025-11-12", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5371", "why_it_matters": "Tonko was one of only 6 House Democrats to vote against ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. He stated healthcare subsidies played a role in his Nay vote, arguing a non-guaranteed Senate vote on subsidies 'isn't good enough protection for...tens of millions that will see a doubling or tripling of their health care premiums.' His district's SNAP recipients, federal workers at the VA and Watervliet Arsenal, and furloughed employees were directly harmed by the prolonged shutdown. Tonko acknowledged he had voted a month earlier 'for a clean, bipartisan bill to keep the government open.' His Nay illustrates a progressive choosing long-term healthcare policy objectives over immediate constituent relief from shutdown impacts.", "category": "cross_pressure" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 22", "title": "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act — On Passage", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2025-04-10", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22", "why_it_matters": "Tonko voted with all but 4 Democrats against requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration (220-208). His district is 96.2% citizens — the ID requirements create limited practical barriers for most constituents. Only 4 Democrats joined all Republicans. The League of Women Voters characterized the bill as a voter suppression measure. Tonko did not issue a press release on this specific vote. His voting record shows 39% Yea / 59% Nay across the 119th Congress.", "category": "constituent_aligned" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 5009 / S. 1071", "title": "National Defense Authorization Acts — FY2024 and FY2025", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2023-07-14", "roll_call_url": "https://tonko.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3827", "why_it_matters": "Tonko voted against both the FY2024 and FY2025 NDAAs, citing anti-LGBTQ+ provisions, restrictions on women's healthcare, and 'extreme, partisan issues.' For FY2025, 81 Democrats joined 200 Republicans to pass the bill 281-140. Tonko's Nay placed him among the 124 Democrats who opposed the annual defense authorization. His district is not home to major defense contractors, but GE Aerospace ($96,718 career donations) has significant defense operations. The vote illustrates the tension between progressive values and supporting the military authorization bill that funds defense-sector jobs. Tonko's office highlighted the anti-LGBTQ+ provisions as his primary objection.", "category": "donor_defection" } ],

"constituency_baseline": { "baseline": { "district_summary": "New York's 20th Congressional District encompasses the Capital Region of upstate New York, including all of Albany and Schenectady Counties and parts of Montgomery, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties. With approximately 782,695 residents, it is a safe Democratic seat (Cook PVI D+22) that Tonko has represented since 2013 (previously NY-21 from 2009-2013). The district has a median household income of $86,491 — more than double the national median — and a poverty rate of 7.6% (ACS) to 11.9% (Data USA broader measure). The population is 73.8% White (Non-Hispanic) with 8.4% Black and 5.4% Asian; 7.41% are Hispanic. 96.2% are U.S. citizens with 9.14% foreign-born. Median home values are $287,300 with a 61.3% homeownership rate. Bachelor's degree attainment is 42.9%, well above the national average. The economy is anchored by state government (Albany is the state capital), healthcare (Albany Med, St. Peter's), higher education (SUNY Albany, RPI, HVCC), technology/engineering (GE Global Research in Niskayuna, GlobalFoundries in nearby Malta), and tourism (Saratoga Springs). The district has a large Vietnam-era veteran population (11,257) and is car-dependent: 69.6% drive alone. Key local concerns include healthcare access, clean energy/climate policy, federal research funding, and the SALT deduction (median property taxes are $1,959).", "top_employers": [ { "name": "State of New York (Albany — state capital)", "employees": 50000, "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "name": "Albany Medical Center", "employees": 8000, "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "name": "GE Global Research (Niskayuna — GE Aerospace's central R&D facility)", "employees": 2000, "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00030196&cycle=CAREER" }, { "name": "Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy)", "employees": 2000, "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "name": "University at Albany (SUNY)", "employees": 5000, "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" } ], "dominant_industries": [ { "naics": "62 - Health Care and Social Assistance", "share": 0.151, "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "naics": "61 - Educational Services", "share": 0.120, "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "naics": "44-45 - Retail Trade", "share": 0.099, "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "naics": "92 - Public Administration (state government)", "share": 0.087, "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" } ], "recent_ballot_measures": [ { "name": "New York Proposal 1 — Equal Rights Amendment (November 2024)", "year": 2024, "result": "passed", "margin": "62% to 38% statewide", "source_url": "https://www.elections.ny.gov" }, { "name": "New York Environmental Bond Act (November 2022)", "year": 2022, "result": "passed", "margin": "67.6% to 32.4%", "source_url": "https://www.elections.ny.gov" } ], "demographic_anchors": [ { "label": "Median household income", "value": "$86,491 (2024)", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Poverty rate", "value": "7.6% (ACS 5-Year); 11.9% (Data USA 2024, broader measure)", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/paul-tonko-T000469/district" }, { "label": "Homeownership rate", "value": "61.3%", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Bachelor's degree or higher", "value": "42.9%", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/paul-tonko-T000469/district" }, { "label": "Median property value", "value": "$287,300", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Median rent", "value": "$1,276", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/paul-tonko-T000469/district" }, { "label": "Population", "value": "782,695 (2024)", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "White (Non-Hispanic) population share", "value": "73.8% (567k)", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Black or African American population share", "value": "8.4% (65.9k)", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Asian population share", "value": "5.4% (42.2k)", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Hispanic population share", "value": "7.41% (58k)", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "U.S. citizenship rate", "value": "96.2%", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Foreign-born population", "value": "9.14% (71.5k)", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Vietnam-era veterans", "value": "11,257 (largest veteran cohort)", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Unemployment rate", "value": "4.9%", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/paul-tonko-T000469/district" }, { "label": "Median age", "value": "39.7", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" }, { "label": "Average commute time", "value": "23 minutes", "source_url": "https://datausa.io/profile/geo/congressional-district-20-ny" } ] } } }