Rep. Tonko applauded the awards, saying “Improving the Capital Region’s world-class aviation facilities offers immediate and long-term economic benefits in the form of increased tourism, business activity and commercial development. These specific improvements will help to ensure that passengers coming to our region are able to do so safely. I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Transportation has recognized the importance of maintaining these vital commercial hubs for our region.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“Our nation’s railways remain one of the safest and most energy efficient ways to travel, but recent passenger rail incidents on Northeast rail lines highlight the need to keep these systems updated with the latest proven safety technologies. Positive Train Control saves lives, plain and simple. It is long overdue. I am glad to have advocated for this funding and technology to be brought back to New York to ensure our leisure and business travelers, as well as Amtrak workers and general public, are kept safe.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“A single, national approach to medication testing with strong independent oversight and enforcement is long overdue. This will help ensure the long-term viability of horseracing by bringing greater integrity to the sport and enhancing the care and welfare of the horses. Much is at stake here, especially in regions like ours with long historic ties to an industry that contributes $4 billion to the New York economy each year, much of it at and around the Saratoga Race Course.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“Our firefighters are the first line of defense against tragedy for families and communities all across the Capital Region, yet many of our local fire houses across the Capital Region operate with very limited resources. This award ensures that the brave firefighters in the Cohoes station have the equipment they need to continue saving lives and safeguarding homes and businesses in their community.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“The Trump Administration’s unilateral decision to hold these advanced energy research awards is not just harmful to the local businesses and organizations doing this cutting-edge research in New York and across the nation, it also threatens the separation of powers and exclusive authority of Congress to appropriate funding that is clearly spelled out in our U.S. Constitution. The President and this Administration need to explain why they are withholding these ARPA-E awards and expedite the release of all Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 funding without further delay.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“We have serious concerns about this action that has prematurely removed qualified experts from EPA’s Board and deprives EPA of critical scientific and technical expertise needed to support the Agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment,” wrote the six Democratic Committee leaders. Read more »
"Even today, Medicare continues to discriminate against seniors with mental illnesses by imposing lifetime caps on the care they need to live in good health. These types of arbitrary caps are a thing of the past in private health insurance thanks to the passage of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the Affordable Care Act. It’s time for Medicare to do the same.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“The Office and the programs it supports are uniquely positioned to address the causes and effects of the current opioid crisis with proven strategies and broad reach. For these important programs to remain effective, we believe they must continue to be funded fully and coordinated effectively. We are gravely concerned that any interruption would exacerbate the crises in our communities and we remain committed in working together to reverse the damaging effects that opioids and other drugs have had on American families.” Read more »
“Our public water systems are critical to the lives of millions of Americans in communities throughout the nation. Every single job and every life depends on access to safe, clean drinking water, but across the U.S. many of these systems are failing today. From Flint to Hoosick Falls, we are already seeing the price of inaction. In Richmond, we can see the opportunities that come with confronting this issue head-on." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"This bill would mean women who are pregnant and children with asthma can be priced out of coverage due to preexisting conditions. It means seniors will pay five times more in premiums under a crushing age tax. It means 24 million Americans will lose coverage. And it steals from Medicare and Medicaid, all to give a massive tax break to millionaires and special interests. We are a better, greater nation than this." Read more »
