Today, Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) announced that the Research Foundation for SUNY Albany is slated to receive $513,389 in funding to expand its research of education outcomes for children. These funds, provided by the Institute of Education Sciences under the U.S. Department of Education, were awarded to institutions recognized for their national leadership in improving the understanding of when children with disability are ready to begin school, as well as general education outcomes for students at every level. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) announced today that the Village of Green Island Fire Department has received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $47,044. The assistance was made possible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The primary goal of FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations. Read more »
Representatives Ron Barber (AZ-2), Diana DeGette (CO-1), Doris Matsui (CA-6), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), and Paul Tonko (NY-20) rolled out legislation Tuesday that would take a comprehensive approach to long-ignored mental health issues. The Strengthening Mental Health in Our Communities Act of 2014 renews a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental illness by maximizing access to and increasing the impact of community-based services, making new investments in prevention and early intervention of mental illness, and advancing research into mental health. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko announced today that Niskayuna High School Senior Yahor Pryshchepis the winner of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition for the 20th Congressional District of New York. His piece, entitled "Manufacturer's Palace," was judged to be the best out of 46 unique entries from 18 different schools in the Capital Region. The artwork was displayed during a reception Friday evening at the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy where it will be on display through May 8th. Next week, the piece will be shipped to Washington, D.C. to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the next year. Read more »
Today, Ranking Members Henry A. Waxman and Paul D. Tonko sent a letter to Chairman John Shimkus expressing significant concerns about the sweeping preemption language in the latest discussion draft of the Chemicals in Commerce Act. As drafted, the language could jeopardize state or local laws and regulations relating to hydraulic fracturing and the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. Read more »
Yesterday, in a bipartisan effort, Congressman Brett Guthrie and his colleague Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced H.R. 4351, the Alzheimer's Accountability Act. Read more »
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko today praised the inclusion of critical federal funds in President Obama's budget proposal for 2015, aimed at cleaning up the former Scotia Navy Depot in Glenville, New York. Both federal officials vowed to work with their colleagues in the Senate and House to fulfill this funding request as each chamber crafts their own budget plan. A total of $15,780,000 was requested in the President's proposal. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko today condemned a U.S. Supreme Court decision in the McCutcheon v. FEC case that ruled caps on the total amount of money an individual can contribute to political campaigns and Political Action Committees (PACs) are unconstitutional. Previously, Tonko joined with 84 other Democratic Members of Congress in an amicus brief in support of upholding aggregate campaign finance limits. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) took action this afternoon to force an up-or-down vote on key legislation that would extend emergency unemployment benefits for more than 2 million Americans and 200,000 veterans. Tonko signed a discharge petition to bring to a vote the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (H.R. 3546), which extends these benefits for long term unemployed Americans. Read more »
As Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Horse Caucus, Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) hosted the first meeting of the Caucus on March 5, 2014. Read more »
