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WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko was recognized today as a 2020 Champion of Science by The Science Coalition (TSC), a prestigious distinction that honors a small group of Congressional leaders each year whose actions and votes consistently reflect a commitment to fundamental science through funding investment for federal research agencies.  “As an engineer, I have always had a… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko voted today to advance H.J.Res.79 eliminating the deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution. The bipartisan resolution, introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), passed out of the House of Representatives with a vote of 232 to 183. The House vote sends the resolution to the Senate and paves the way… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko celebrated unanimous adoption of two amendments he proposed on clean energy legislation advancing out of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee today:  Amended H.R. 2986, the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act, to create a research and development program for recycling lithium-ion batteries. Amended H.R. 5374,… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko voted last night to pass H. Res. 826, a House resolution expressing disapproval of the Trump Administration’s latest attacks on Medicaid that threaten the health care of millions of Americans. Last week, the Trump Administration unveiled its plan for states to convert Medicaid into a block grant program, opening the door for major cuts to… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) offered the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address before Congress tonight: “Tonight, President Trump had the chance to outline a vision for the future that highlights the American spirit of ingenuity and innovation to solve some of our most pressing challenges – climate change, building modern… Read more »

ALBANY, NY—Congressman Paul Tonko, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, architects and lead sponsors of a comprehensive national limousine safety package in Congress (fact sheet & detailed summary) cheered today’s signing of New York State limousine safety reforms: Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY-20): “Our hearts remain broken for the families of the… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko, Chair of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment & Climate Change and a Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition, announced today that Kathy Hannun, Co-founder and President of Dandelion Energy, has accepted his invitation and will attend the 2020 State of the Union as his guest. Tonko participated in a… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Ajit Pai sent a letter to Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) today responding to Tonko’s direct outreach to the agency in recent days following reports that FCC planned to rule New York State ineligible for $16 billion in federal Phase I Rural Digital Opportunity Fund grants. Pai promised in his letter to reverse the policy targeting… Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko cheered the advance of his bipartisan National Heritage Area Act in the House today following a vote by the Committee on Natural Resources to approve the legislation and send it before the House for final passage. Tonko’s legislation, which he introduced last year with Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) and recently added its 200th cosponsor in the House,… Read more »

  WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko and fellow House Democrats unveiled their new framework today for a five-year, $760 billion investment to repair and upgrade the nation’s critical infrastructure. The plan includes measures to clear the massive maintenance backlog, design safer streets, increase climate resiliency and put the U.S. on a path toward zero carbon pollution from… Read more »