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WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released a statement following his no vote on the Republicans spending bill:

I heard from constituents across my district during this more than 40-day shutdown, and their message to me was loud and clear: ‘keep up the fight to protect our health care.’ This spending bill is a slap in the face to that mandate. I voted no.

Health care premiums are already skyrocketing, and the longer Congress delays, the more pain will be felt by working Americans. While House Republicans were more than happy to spend the last 7+ weeks on paid vacation, ignoring negotiations to end the shutdown and denying this affordability crisis of their own making, our work doesn’t stop. I’ll keep fighting to do all in my power to restore vital health care benefits and to lower costs for families in my district and beyond.