Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) today joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in urging Social Security Administration (SSA) Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin to provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to Social Security beneficiaries in 2016. In a letter to Colvin, the Members of Congress expressed concern regarding recent reports that beneficiaries may not receive a COLA increase next year, which would further strain the limited resources afforded to the nation's seniors. Read more »
A partial list of speeches, articles, and statements detailing Congressman Paul Tonko's (NY-20) campaign to stop bad trade deals from hurting American workers Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) released the following statement after voting in favor of bipartisan legislation that avoids a second government shutdown in two years, and keeps federal operations open for an additional 72 days through December 11, 2015. The clean funding bill, which does not include a controversial provision that would defund Planned Parenthood, passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority by a vote of 277-151. Every House Democrat in attendance voted in favor of the legislation and all 151 votes against the bill came from House Republicans. Read more »
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko today announced $3,000,000 in federal funding for the Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). Over the next five years, this funding will help 2,200 students obtain the necessary training to pursue careers in the healthcare sector. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Health Profession Opportunity Grant to Serve TANF Recipients and Other Low-Income Individuals (HPOG) program. Schumer, Gillibrand and Tonko said this $3 million healthcare job training grant is renewable for five years, which means the total award could be brought to $15 million over the next five years. Read more »
Today, Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) joined 78 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives, urging Speaker Boehner to keep the House in session every day until a deal is reached to prevent another government shutdown.With only five legislative days scheduled before the government closes its doors at 12:01 am on October 1st, the letter calls on the Speaker to use his power to keep Congress working every day, including over the next two weekends, until there's an agreement. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) released the following statement after General Electric announced planned job cuts to their American plants – including hundreds in their Schenectady, New York location. GE referred to the recent expiration of the Export-Import Bank, the official export credit agency of the United States, and the need for contracts to be backed by a government creditor as the reason work on a new contract would be completed by French workers instead of Americans. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) marked the 14th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks by announcing his support for the bipartisan James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1786). The legislation permanently extends the Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program, which provides health care to 9/11 responders and survivors in all 50 states, including 54,226 in New York State, where almost 80% of 9/11 responders and survivors reside. Approximately 190 residents of New York's 20th Congressional District participate in the World Trade Center Health Program. Read more »
Today, Congressman Paul Tonko announced he will support the recently negotiated agreement that cuts off Iran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon. The Congressman's full remarks can be found below and linked to here. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko released the following statement in response to today's release of the final Clean Power Plan by President Obama and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy: Read more »
