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Tonko Releases Legislative Scorecard for 2021

Showcases bipartisan leadership throughout year ahead of first week with Congress back in session in 2022

  • Rep. Paul Tonko

WASHINGTON, DC—As Congress heads back to Washington for their first day back in session for 2022, Representative Paul D. Tonko today released his 2021 Legislative Scorecard outlining some of the major legislation he championed last year. The scorecard shows a significant record of leadership and achievement for the legislator, including sponsorship of 24 bills, 17 of which were cosponsored by at least one Republican. The Congressman also cosponsored an additional 430 pieces of legislation, passing key measures into law and leading the way on comprehensive action to address the climate crisis.

“I am incredibly proud of the legislative work we have accomplished for the people during this challenging year,” Congressman Tonko said. “As our nation continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, I am gratified to have been part of Congress’s efforts to deliver meaningful relief for American families and small businesses. I’m proud to have championed new legislation, much of it bipartisan, to address concerns in New York’s Capital Region and beyond and provide tangible support to millions of Americans. While Congress has much work still to do in the coming year, I am confident that our accomplishments in 2021 will provide a strong foundation on which to build for the future.”

This year, Congressman Tonko advanced legislation to:

  • Tackle the climate crisis and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050
  • Drive new investments in wind energy
  • Address key water infrastructure needs, including removing all 10 million lead water service lines in the United States
  • Remove PFAS chemicals from communities
  • Examine mental health impacts of COVID-19 on kids and healthcare workers
  • Improve access to safe, proven addiction treatments
  • Restart benefits for Medicaid-eligible incarcerated individuals 30 days prior to release
  • Secure continued funding for our National Heritage Areas (NHAs)

Click here to read Rep. Tonko’s full 2021 Legislative Scorecard.

Beyond his own 2021 legislation, Congressman Tonko worked alongside other members of Congress to produce more significant achievements, including:

  • Ranked #52 of 435 House members in overall bipartisanship by The Lugar Center
  • Fought successfully for the inclusion of his national limousine safety standards in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed into law in November 2021
    • The Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act and the SAFE Limos Act, authored following the 2018 Schoharie limousine crash that took the lives of 20 people, sets new standards to improve limousine safety nationwide.
  • Held seats on three climate-focused House Committees (Natural Resources, Science, Space & Technology, and Energy & Commerce)
    • As Chair of the Environment & Climate Change Subcommittee, Rep. Tonko co-led on the CLEAN Future Act and led on the Restoring Offshore Wind Opportunities Act
  • Successfully secured the inclusion of $55 billion to repaire crumbling water systems as part of the landmark bipartisan infrastructure bill
  • Co-chaired the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC) and the National Heritage Areas Caucus
    • Served as vice co-chair of the Addiction, Treatment & Recovery Caucus and served as a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee Racial Equity Working Group
  • Honored by the Humane Society Legislative Fund as Humane Legislator of the Year
  • Awarded Energy Vision’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award

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