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

ALBANY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko called on the U.S. House of Representatives today to file formal articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump following multiple credible reports that the President tried to leverage U.S. military aid to compel a foreign government to help his re-election campaign, reinforced by the President’s own confirmations and simultaneous refusal to release the whistleblower complaint and underlying call transcription. Congressman Tonko’s full statement: “I calle... Read more

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko was selected last night to represent the House of Representatives in negotiations with the United States Senate over the final terms of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA shapes the funding and operations of the U.S. Department of Defense. Both the House and Senate bills include provisions related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, which have contaminated sources of drinking water for millions... Read more

"I urge CPSC to consider this new evidence that wasn’t available at the time of their previous review, and to continue to uphold the agency’s sacred duty to defend public safety. American homes and lives are on the line.” - Congressman Paul Tonko Read more

ALBANY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko marked the 18th anniversary since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and called for full and continuous support for first responders, announcing today that the City of Amsterdam Fire Department has been awarded $109,904.76 through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The department will use the grant funding for new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the department’s firefighters. “The funding from th... Read more