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WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko today called out Republicans for their inability to address the pressing issues impacting the American people and instead spending their final days of session pushing for legislation that abandons veterans, further discriminates against LGBTQ+ people, and limits protections for the lesser prairie chicken and Northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act.

“This time last year, House Democrats came together to pass legislation that addressed the key needs and priorities of Americans, including tackling inflation, lowering costs for households, and honoring our servicemembers,” Congressman Tonko said. “This week, in the final hours before members are sent home to our districts for six weeks, Republicans have chosen to spend their time passing legislation that further restricts abortion access, discriminates against LGBTQ+ veterans, and cuts Endangered Species Act protections for bats and chickens. It's clear that their concerns are completely out of step with those of the American people. I for one will continue working to implement meaningful legislation and drive action on the issues that impact us every day. It is my hope that Republicans abandon this path and join us in putting people over politics.”

Tonko voted ‘no’ today on the following Republican bills:

• H.R. 4366 — Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024 which:
• Worsens the quality of life for servicemembers and their families and hurts military readiness by cutting military construction by over $1.5 billion.
• Further limits women’s access to abortion mission by prohibiting VA from implementing its interim final rule on abortions, thereby making it harder for veterans to access health care.
• Disenfranchises LGBTQ+ veterans rather than making VA a welcoming and inclusive place for all those who have bravely served our country. 
• S.J.Res. 9 — a resolution of congressional disapproval that legislatively de-lists the lesser prairie chicken from protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
• S.J.Res. 24 — a resolution of congressional disapproval to legislatively down-list the northern long-eared bat (NLEB) from “endangered” to “threatened.”