WASHINGTON—Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Andy Barr (R-KY), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Horse Caucus, reintroduced H.R. 1754: the Horseracing Integrity Act today to establish a uniform national medication program, bringing the United States in line with international standards. “Horseracing thrives when we put the majestic equine athlete front and center” Tonko said. “Our legislation creates a set of nationwide rules that are clear, consistent, and conflict-free. This will make horsera... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Scientific Integrity Act in the House and Senate today, legislation that would protect public scientific research and reports from the influence of political and special interests, a longstanding concern that has taken on newfound urgency under President Trump. “Independent, rigorous scientific research is one of the most powerful tools we have for advancing the public interest and keeping the American peop... Read more

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul Tonko called out major broken promises in President Trump’s proposed budget today, which slashes Medicare and Medicaid and includes other painful cuts that would hurt Capital Region seniors and families, all while demanding $8.6 billion in taxpayer money for the President’s border wall. “President Trump’s budget breaks a core promise he made to the American people: it cuts more than $2 trillion from Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, he proposes massive cuts to student... Read more

“The American people have a right to know that their government is working for them, and to hold officials accountable when they are not." Read more

WASHINGTON – Representatives Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Michael Turner (OH-10) have formally introduced bipartisan legislation empowering states to expand access to addiction treatment through Medicaid for individuals up to 30 days before their release from jail or prison. The bill, H.R. 1329: the Medicaid Reentry Act, responds to alarming evidence that individuals reentering society after incarceration are 129 times more likely than the general population to die of a drug overdose during the first ... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul Tonko joined more than 200 colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives today to pass H.R. 8: the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would require every gun purchase or transfer to undergo a full background check through a licensed firearm dealer and prevent individuals barred from gun possession from obtaining a gun. “Today’s vote marks a major turning point in our fight to end America’s gun violence epidemic,” said Tonko. “After every deadly tragedy in the... Read more

“I’m honored to join Chairman Grijalva and the members on the Natural Resources committee who have rightly put the climate crisis front and center in their work this term." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul D. Tonko joined with 244 of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives today, including more than a dozen Republicans, in a vote to terminate President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to build a taxpayer-funded border wall on the U.S. southern border. “Our vote today protects the very heart of our Constitution,” said Tonko. “This is not a matter of political party or opinion. President Trump failed to convince Mexico, the American people or Congress to... Read more

WASHINGTON—The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously tonight to pass Congressman Paul Tonko’s legislation H.R. 583: the PIRATE Act, a bipartisan bill that would increase penalties for unlawful radio broadcasting a.k.a. “pirate radio.” Pirate signals can pose a threat to human health and disrupt Emergency Alert Systems and other services used by first responders that are essential to public safety. “Safe public airwaves are easy to take for granted in our everyday lives, but the negativ... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul Tonko issued the following statement after voting to advance the bipartisan bicameral compromise to fund remaining federal agencies through the end of FY 2019 and prevent another government shutdown: “While I remain dubious about some of the provisions in this agreement, that is the nature of compromise. In the end, this legislation funds many important priorities for our national security and economy, resolves troubling uncertainty for vital agencies and workers, a... Read more