"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 »
"With proper support from Congress, we can ensure that the future global energy system, and the infrastructure that will support it, will be researched, designed, and manufactured here in the United States. And that our energy workforce is representative of our nation." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"President Trump’s directive to freeze EPA grant funding is very concerning. Just last month, Democrats and Republicans in Congress came together in a bipartisan fashion to pass long overdue aid for the people of Flint, Michigan. Flint families have waited long enough for help and President Trump's EPA directives should not jeopardize or delay real aid from reaching Flint or any other community in need." Read more »
"The message of today’s march is about more than women, though. It is about the fight for progress and opportunity for all Americans. We need laws and policies that will help America’s working families by providing fairness in the workplace, guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, and respecting and defending our rights to access quality affordable healthcare and to govern our own bodies. We must take greater steps to end violence against women, strengthen paid family leave, ensure antidiscrimination protections, defend civil and workers’ rights, clean and protect our air and water, raise the minimum wage, and get big money out of politics." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"This new administration needs to know that they will be held accountable, and that we will not allow any private deals or special interests to come before their duty to serve the needs and best interests of the American people." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“Repealing Obamacare with no plan to replace it is irresponsible and dangerous. It shows that, after seven years, Congressional Republicans still have no specific ideas how to improve the Affordable Care Act… Instead of repealing the Affordable Care Act with no replacement, Republicans and Democrats should come together to improve the law by lowering out of pocket costs for care, increasing the small business tax credit, and limiting prescription drug costs.” -Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"Repealing Obamacare with no plan to replace it is irresponsible and dangerous. It shows that, after seven years, Congressional Republicans still have no specific ideas how to improve the Affordable Care Act. Rather than come up with a real alternative to address America’s health care challenges, they chose again to put politics ahead of governing." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
