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WASHINGTON – One of a small handful of engineers in Congress, Congressman Paul Tonko was selected today to serve on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, including on its Subcommittee on Research and Technology and Subcommittee on Environment. These appointments come in addition to his elected leadership role on the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Environment… Read more »

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul D. Tonko slammed the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today following news that the agency will decline to set national standards for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), two perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) that have been linked to myriad health disorders including cancer. “If these reports are accurate, the Trump… Read more »

ALBANY – Following President Trump’s announcement today that he will reopen the federal government without demanding a taxpayer-funded border wall, Congressman Paul D. Tonko expressed thanks to workers and relief for all those affected. “I am relieved for the thousands of federal workers and their families who have been used as pawns by President Trump for the past month as we endured… Read more »

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul D. Tonko officially reintroduced the PIRATE ACT today with Republican co-sponsor Congressman Gus Bilirakis of Florida. This legislation would increase penalties for anyone caught engaging in unlawful broadcasting, sometimes referred to as ‘pirate radio.’ Pirate signals can pose a significant threat to public safety, oftentimes disrupting Federal Aviation… Read more »

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul D. Tonko has just been elected by his colleagues on the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee to serve as Chair of the Subcommittee on the Environment and Climate Change. This subcommittee has exclusive jurisdiction over the Clean Air Act and will be at the forefront of tackling climate change and carbon pollution. Tonko has been developing a… Read more »

WASHINGTON – Today, on the 21st day of the historic Trump Shutdown and the first day when thousands of federal workers and their families will be denied a paycheck, Congressman Paul Tonko voted with fellow House Democrats to reopen several agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This would allow EPA to resume its critical public health and environmental… Read more »

“There should be no confusion that New Yorkers who file their taxes will get the tax refund they are entitled to, in full and on time, and to do that we must re-open the IRS" - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »

“Thousands of New Yorkers and countless Americans are paying the price for this administration’s failed approach. We need to stop the bleeding from this shutdown, reopen and strengthen the Department of Homeland Security, and get our government employees back to work. That’s what these bills would do. What they don’t do is ask taxpayers to fund an easily-defeated border wall, an 11th Century security solution to a modern day problem.” Read more »

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul D. Tonko issued sharp criticism of the President tonight for refusing to govern and failing to commit to a bipartisan agreement that includes border security funding, resulting in government shutdown that includes the Department of Homeland Security and other critical agencies: This shutdown achieves nothing. It could have been avoided if the President had… Read more »

“This bill promises to improve the lives of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and reduce the public health burden of this disease on our communities.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »