WASHINGTON—Legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) to expand low-income senior’s access to prescription drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program, also known as Medicare Part D, was passed through committee last night as an important addition to the House’s H.R. 3: the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019. Their legislation, the Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act of 2019, will expand low-income senior’s access to presc... Read more

ALBANY, NY—U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that the Carey Institute for Global Good in Rensselaerville, NY received a grant totaling $62,080.00 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. The award will provide technical assistance and trainings to rural breweries in New York State in order to retain and create jobs, improve operations and grow sales. “Local businesses are an impo... Read more

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko cheered the advance of his Scientific Integrity Act to the House floor on strong bipartisan footing following a 25-6 vote of the House Science, Space & Technology Committee today. Tonko’s legislation, which carries the names of 226 House cosponsors, sets baseline standards for scientific integrity policies at federal agencies with the purpose of preventing political and special interests from interfering with federal or federally-funded research or scientific... Read more

"The first night our communities came together in vigil, these families called on us to respond not just with our thoughts and prayers, but with clear, enforceable standards that close dangerous loopholes and make rider safety a priority. This legislation answers that call." - Congressman Paul Tonko Read more

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that he is introducing the bipartisan Star Rating for Biosimilars Act (H.R. 4629) with bill co-sponsor Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH). This legislation will direct the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to evaluate Medicare plans based on whether or not cost-saving biosimilars are available to enrollees. Biosimilar drugs are clinically equivalent forms of biologic drugs, similar to generics for standard prescription drugs. Biosimilars on ... Read more

ALBANY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Albany International Airport have been awarded a combined $3,638,140.00 in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). “Quality, effective transportation infrastructure is a vital part of the work we do growing our economy, creating job opportunities and improving life in our communities,” Congressman Tonko said. “These federal investments in our local transportation sy... Read more

ALBANY, NY – Last week, Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Mike Quigley (IL-05) introduced the Preserve Science in Policymaking Act of 2019. The bill would prevent the President from unilaterally dissolving Federal Advisory Committees – groups of scientists and academics that advise the executive branch on how to make their regulations evidence-based – without the approval of apolitical civil servants and a public notice and comment period. The bill comes in reaction to... Read more

ALBANY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that GE Global Research in Niskayuna, New York has been awarded $2,800,000 through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), which will go towards design and development of optimized controls for a lightweight offshore wind turbine. “Wind power research can help lower energy costs across the board and advance a greener economy that lifts up our environment and the American people,” Congressman Tonko said. “... Read more

ALBANY, NY—U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Antonio Delgado (NY-19) announced today that Capital Region fire departments have been awarded a combined $1,449,010.38 through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Programs. The funding will be used to purchase new equipment, promote recruitment, and provide training for firefighters throughout New York’s Capital Region. “Our firefighters are among the first to a... Read more

ALBANY— Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that researchers at the University at Albany and Health Research, Inc in Menands, New York, have been awarded federal grants totaling more than $1 million to fund research into the health and environmental impacts of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. Tonko has long been a leading voice on the issue of PFAS chemicals and recently was selected as a conferee in negotiations with the Senate on the National Defen... Read more