WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul D. Tonko today issued a statement following the narrow passage of Republicans’ budget, which makes the deepest cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and environmental protections in American history. Tonko spoke against this budget on the House floor in the early hours of the morning ahead of the House vote. His remarks can be viewed HERE. “Ripping away healthcar... Read More »
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko, Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, today questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin during an Environment Subcommittee hearing on the EPA’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Listen to Rep. Tonko’s opening remarks HERE and see below as prepared for delivery. President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 budge... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In his closing remarks, during a 26-hour long markup in the Energy and Commerce Committee on the Republican budget, Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) shared the story of a local family who relies on Medicaid and who would be hurt by the massive healthcare cuts included in the GOP budget. Throughout the markup, Tonko shared firsthand accounts of constituents across the district w... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During an Energy and Commerce Committee Markup on the Republican budget today, which includes massive cuts to health care for millions of Americans, Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) shared the story of a local Albany family in their own words about what Medicaid means to them. Tonko spoke directly with parents Noëlle and Nathan about the impact of Medicaid in providing support ... Read More »
TROY, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko held a reception last week at The Arts Center of the Capital Region to announce the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for New York’s 20th Congressional District. The winning artworks were chosen from among 24 student submissions representing 16 high schools across the Capital Region. “I am continually inspired by the remarkable talent and creati... Read More »
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Co-Chair of the Congressional Museum Caucus, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) led 69 of their colleagues on a letter to the Inspector General of the Smithsonian Institution demanding an investigation of the impact of Donald Trump’s harmful Executive Order attacking Smithsonian museums – namely, the American Art Museum, the American Women... Read More »
AMSTERDAM, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement following the passing of Pope Francis: “Our world has lost a truly remarkable servant of the people. Pope Francis embodied the values of all faiths, and as a respected global leader, worked tirelessly on behalf of those who are too often forgotten. His humble but forceful work in service to immigrant, refugee, and m... Read More »
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement in response to a video showing unidentified federal agents pulling a man off the street and into an unmarked car this morning on Broadway in Saratoga Springs: “I have seen the video of the ICE arrest in Saratoga Springs today. Our community needs answers and assurances that due process is followed. “Over thes... Read More »
ALBANY, NY — Ahead of Barth Syndrome Awareness Day (April 5th), Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) announced his bipartisan resolution to raise awareness about the ultra-rare genetic disorder and ensure individuals living with this condition have access to safe and effective treatments. Rep. Tonko successfully championed the push in Congress to improve visibility and access to treatments for the mi... Read More »
WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Mike Turner (R-OH), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), and John Rutherford (R-FL) today introduced the Reentry Act, bipartisan legislation that empowers states to restore access to healthcare, including addiction and mental health treatment, through Medicaid for incarcerated individuals up to 30 days before their release. Representative Tonko, Turner, P... Read More »
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement lambasting the Trump administration for eliminating the entire staff at the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as part of the massive and devastating cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services. “The Home Energy Assistance Program provides relief for millions of American families that strugg... Read More »
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin condemning the Trump administration’s outrageous decision to encourage polluters to apply for exemption from critical Clean Air Act standards by simply sending a template email response to EPA officials. These standards, required pursuant to Section 112 of the C... Read More »
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and House Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02), joined by 30 other Democratic House members, sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum condemning the Trump administration’s decision to disband the Federal Advisory Committee for Science Quality and Integrity (FACSQI) and slash over 240 positions at the U.S. Geo... Read More »
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement in response to reports that senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, exposed classified war plans in an unsecure group chat that included a reporter. “Exposing classified war plans in a group chat isn’t just amateurish — it’s a c... Read More »
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement urging Senate Democrats to join House Democrats in opposing the disastrous GOP budget in favor of a four-week, clean continuing resolution that keeps the government open: Senate Democrats must hold strong and reject the dirty Republican funding bill that does nothing but give Elon Musk a blank check to continue his... Read More »
