"Ultimately, the Syrian Civil War will not be ended by a missile strike. It requires a diplomatic solution. I encourage President Trump to engage with the other governments of the world, including President Assad's supporters in Russia, to bring an end to this conflict." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"It is past time for the U.S. government to make bold investments in our hidden infrastructure. If we don’t act now, the price tag will continue to rise and crises like the one in Flint could become much more common." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"Investing in innovation and greater efficiency in our energy production is one of the easiest and most important things we can do for our economy, our environment and our national security. Even a small increase in the efficiency of our nation’s power generators can save billions of dollars, dramatically reduce carbon pollution and secure our own energy independence." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"The President’s Executive Order on this issue is more than bad policy, it is a critical failure to respond to a real and proven threat to the lives and livelihood of millions of American families. This bill would stop it in its tracks.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"The EPA Brownfields Program works to clean up contaminated properties and put them back to use. In so doing, it has an important economic multiplier for local communities, turning environmentally degraded areas into productive economically active sites. With an estimated 450,000 brownfield sites across the country, we have a lot of work left to do." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"The Trump Administration’s plan to roll back fuel efficiency standards puts corporate and special interests ahead of the needs of America’s families and our environment. These proven standards will save consumers an estimated $1.7 trillion at the pump from vehicles produced between 2011 and 2025 and help U.S. automakers continue to develop cutting edge technologies. Instead of saving drivers money and making real progress in reducing carbon pollution, this move will cause pain at the pump and abandon America’s global leadership on climate change. I strongly oppose this rollback of common sense and achievable environmental and consumer protections.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"This is not a healthcare plan, it’s a tax on working families and seniors and a tax cut for millionaires and billionaires. Without exception, this is the most harmful, most irresponsible piece of major legislation I have ever seen. Under this plan our middle class and working families pay more for less coverage. Our seniors and those approaching retirement are forced to pay thousands more to stay covered. And 24 million more of our most vulnerable neighbors will be shoved out into the cold." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“Not since the Scientific Revolution has there been a more important moment to stand for the basic ideas that inquiry must be free and facts and evidence matter.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"Every life and every job depends on water. Yet for decades our federal government has allowed funding for our water systems to drip away. Now many of these aging systems have fallen into disrepair and many are reaching their breaking point, costing local taxpayers significantly more to fix than the systems would be to maintain. Our bill confronts the challenge of these declining water systems head on." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“For more than thirty years, our nation has opened its arms to those fleeing terrorism and persecution through our refugee program. This program is not only safe, it makes us safer by showing the world that we stand by our principles and protect those who cherish them. In the process, we have welcomed world-class doctors, engineers, innovators, businesspeople, and so many other contributing members of our communities. These people have enriched our society and strengthened our economy. My colleagues and I steadfastly refuse to step aside to let this President throw peaceful, worthy and freedom loving people to the wolves and hand ISIS another recruiting tool in the process.” -Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »