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WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul Tonko issued the following comments after voting early this morning in support of the bipartisan budget breakthrough achieved by Senate leaders late last night:

“After weeks of brinksmanship, uncertainty and stopgap governing, Senate leaders finally produced a deal that I could support. This bipartisan agreement delivers on many of the urgent priorities I have been working to address for our Capital Region and the nation, including significant commitments to fight the opioid epidemic, shore up our crumbling drinking water systems and renew clean energy incentives for fuel cell producers including our own Plug Power.

“I fully expect Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan to honor their commitment to address immigration as our next legislative priority. We must start this work immediately to negotiate terms that protect America’s dreamers, further secure our borders, and ensure our systems of immigration and citizenship are consistent with our most deeply-held American values.”

Rep. Tonko priorities included in last night’s budget agreement:

• $6 billion for opioid epidemic prevention, treatment and recovery efforts
• $20 billion for critical infrastructure including clean drinking water systems
• $4 billion to secure and improve veterans’ healthcare
• Assistance for communities devastated by weather disasters in Texas, Florida, California, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Two year reauthorization for Community Health Centers
• Renewal of clean energy incentive provisions including fuel cell technologies (e.g. Plug Power) and alternative fuel tax credits
• Creation of a fast-track legislative committee to address looming U.S. pension crisis

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