Tonko, Paul RSS Articles

Tonko, Schumer, Gillibrand Raise Alarm Amid Impending Closure of Schenectady Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK, NY — Today, U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), following continued concern from local Capital Region veterans, called on Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to provide more information about the planned closure of the Schenectady Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) at the end of the month. When the closure was announced in March 2026, the lawmakers immediately called on the VA to halt the closure and provide immediate answers to ensure that healthcare for the over 1,500 Capital Region veterans who rely on this clinic would not be disrupted. Now, five months following their original letter and with the closure looming, few questions have been answered.

In the letter, the members addressed the lack of communication from the VA and the confusion that Capital Region veterans are experiencing with little to no guidance as to the future of their care. They wrote, “Since the closure was announced this past spring, vanishingly little detail or communication has been made available to veterans or the broader public in the Capital Region. The lack of communication has raised concerns about the burden this disruption will place on veterans with ongoing care. Five months since the announcement of the closure, we continue to hear from veterans and non-profit organizations working to cover gaps in care and transportation for veterans, who find themselves less informed, more confused, and in greater precarity.”

The members noted that this would be the second CBOC closure in the Capital Region in five years, forcing veterans to seek out alternative care in places that may be even farther from their homes. They continued, “The communities we represent have expressed significant doubt regarding the VA’s claim that transportation time to the new clinics will be shorter for 80% of veterans. Many older veterans in the area are reliant on public transportation, ride-share services, and friends, family, and their communities for transportation to VA appointments. We are especially concerned that the decision to shift care away from the Schenectady CBOC does not account for the additional bus routes, ride-share costs, and time commitments from friends and families to ensure that veterans have regular access to care at a different facility.”

In a series of questions, the members demanded immediate transparency and requested that the VA release concrete data and outreach plans regarding the facility's closure by August 27th. The inquiry pushes the VA to detail its justification for the closure and the projected impact on veterans in the region, as well as the VA’s plans for ensuring that patients maintain their access to high-quality care.

The lawmakers stressed that not a single local veteran or advocacy group had reached out to their offices to voice support for the clinic’s closure. They concluded, “The lack of clear communication and proper planning has caused significant anxiety for veterans in the Schenectady region who place their trust in the VA to manage their care. We urge the VA to listen to the community that would be most immediately affected by this plan, halt the closure of this clinic until all the questions posed in this letter can be properly addressed, and work with us to rebuild trust among veterans in the Capital Region.”

The full letter can be read HERE.

Tonko Cheers $12.8 Million+ in Affordable Housing Grants for Capital Region Communities

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

ALBANY, NY — Today, Congressman Paul D. Tonko applauded the awarding of $12,823,732 in grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) to create, rehabilitate, or preserve 619 affordable housing units across seven projects in Albany, Ballston Spa, Guilderland, and Schenectady. These grants, awarded through the FHLBNY’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP), form part of a larger announcement of $70.9 million in total grants to fund 47 projects across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, California, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.

“One of the primary drivers of our nation’s growing affordability crisis has been the rising cost of housing,” Congressman Tonko said. “That’s why I’ve been working tirelessly in Congress to address this issue that impacts families across the nation — including by proudly casting my vote in favor of the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the first major housing legislation passed by Congress in a generation. I’m thrilled to celebrate these awards that will increase the supply of housing here in our Capital Region, and I’ll continue fighting to promote policies and initiatives that every family has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.”

“At the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, our reliability is at the center of everything we do — from the certainty of our funding to our consistent support for housing efforts across our region,” said Randolph C. Snook, President and CEO of the FHLBNY. “As communities nationwide continue to face housing affordability and supply challenges, we are proud to serve as a proven and trusted partner, leveraging the full strength of our cooperative to help create and preserve housing opportunities for households across the Capital Region and throughout our District.”

The Capital Region affordable housing awards announced today include:

· $2,500,000 for Steamboat Square Revitalization-Phase 2 in Albany, sponsored by the Albany Housing Authority and consisting of 343 units

· $2,500,000 for the City Mission ARK Center in Schenectady, sponsored by City Mission of Schenectady and consisting of 72 units

· $2,500,000 for the Mansion Initiative in Albany, sponsored by The Community Builders and consisting of 63 units

· $2,500,000 for Harbor House at the YWCA in Schenectady, sponsored by Young Women’s Christian Association of Schenectady and consisting of 96 units

· $1,223,732 for CFDS Residence Renovation Phase I in Guilderland, sponsored by Center for Disability Services Inc and consisting of 25 units

· $960,000 for the City Mission Family Life Center in Schenectady, sponsored by City Mission of Schenectady and consisting of 12 units

· $640,000 for Manufactured Housing Replacement for Low-Income Homeowners in Ballston Spa, sponsored by Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and consisting of 8 units

The AHP was created by Congress in 1989, and the Federal Home Loan Banks have awarded more than $9 billion in AHP funds since the first awards in 1990. At the FHLBNY, the AHP has supported 2,240 projects with more than $1.17 billion grants, helping to create or preserve nearly 113,000 units of affordable housing.

You can read more about today’s announcement HERE.

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Tonko, Whitehouse, Coons & Peters Reintroduce Carbon Dioxide Removal Bill

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Scott Peters (CA-52) and U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Chris Coons (D-DE) reintroduced the Carbon Dioxide Leadership Act to curb climate change by investing in carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies.

“We must use every tool at our disposal to tackle the climate crisis; that includes removing harmful legacy emissions from our atmosphere,” said Tonko, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Environment. “Our bill takes needed action to address carbon dioxide emissions while also creating good-paying jobs, supporting innovation, and investing in a clean energy economy. I’m proud to join my colleagues in championing this smart, meaningful legislation.”

“The fight against climate change will not succeed without carbon removal. Our bill would invest in promising carbon removal technologies and help put the planet on a pathway to climate safety,” said Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

“Investing in cutting-edge technology like carbon capture is key to growing our economy and protecting our nation and planet from climate change,” said Coons. “This bicameral bill will ensure the United States is the global leader in carbon capture, protecting our communities and creating jobs.”

This Carbon Dioxide Leadership Act would leverage federal procurement to create a market for carbon dioxide removal. Specifically, the bill would:

Require the Department of Energy (DOE) to remove an increasing amount of carbon dioxide using direct air capture or other durable technology-based removal solutions;
Ensure high standards for measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verifying carbon removals and for robust public engagement;
Set a declining per-ton price ceiling to incentivize cost reductions over time and give flexibility for DOE to invest in nascent technologies with high potential;
Create a set-side for newer CDR technologies to promote a broad portfolio of technologies; and
Prioritize domestic job creation, environmental justice, innovative technologies, and community benefits.

A fact sheet of the bill is available HERE.

Tonko, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Disability Community Act

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) today introduced the Disability Community Act, legislation that would bolster workers who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The bipartisan legislation would propose a Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase for states over three years to support providers who rely on Medicaid funding and strengthen care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

“Despite delivering compassionate, essential care to those with disabilities, our community-based providers have long been left without proper federal support, forced to shoulder continuously rising costs themselves,” Congressman Tonko said. “Our bipartisan legislation would right this wrong, bolstering these workers by covering costs and wages so that Medicaid-funded providers are able to deliver the best possible care. I urge my colleagues to join us in advancing this bill that will ensure our disability community and those who care for them receive the vital support they need.”

“Community-based care gives individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the freedom to live more independently, remain connected to their communities, and pursue greater opportunity — and protecting that care must be a governing priority, not an afterthought,” Congressman Fitzpatrick said. “I have consistently worked with families, providers, and direct-support professionals to strengthen the system they rely on. The bipartisan Disability Community Act brings balance and accountability to that effort — supporting workers, equipping providers to meet new federal requirements, and ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of the individuals and families they serve.”

“ANCOR is immensely thankful to Representatives Tonko and Fitzpatrick for their continued leadership in supporting people with disabilities and community-based providers by reintroducing the Disability Community Act,” said Barbara Merrill, CEO of the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). “Providers shouldn’t have to go it alone, and this bill will give states a way to ensure they don’t have to. We’re proud to support the Disability Community Act to make sure providers have the resources they need to deliver the quality services people deserve.”

The Disability Community Act amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to temporarily establish a higher federal matching rate with respect to Medicaid expenditures for certain services furnished to individuals with developmental disabilities if such expenditures are attributable to compliance with specified regulations.

Full bill text for the legislation can be found HERE.

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Tonko Statement on Massie Amendment Addressing Military Aid to Israel

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement on the amendment that would halt certain U.S. funding to Israel to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act:

“Today, I will vote YES on the Massie amendment that addresses U.S. military aid to Israel.

“Existing U.S. law prohibits military aid from being provided to entities found to be implicated in gross human rights violations. I believe the Netanyahu government met this standard with their horrific conduct in Gaza. Since then, Israel has sought to further entangle the United States in a war of choice against Iran and undermine efforts to secure a ceasefire. These actions have only destabilized the region and are actively harming efforts to achieve lasting peace and security for all sides.

“This is far from a perfect amendment, and I support steps to allow for the continuation of funding for peacebuilding and humanitarian programs that are captured in this overly broad prohibition. However, I will not support additional military aid that enables Netanyahu to bomb other countries relentlessly with the implicit support of the American taxpayers.

“While I strongly oppose the actions of Israel’s current government, I continue to stand in strong support of our local Jewish community and stand firmly against hate and antisemitism in any form. All Israelis and Palestinians deserve a future where they can live in peace and security. Unfortunately, the actions of the Netanyahu government, supported by U.S. assistance, take us farther away from that future every day.

“It’s time to chart a new course.”

Tonko Statement on Passing of Harbe Nagi and Ensuing Islamophobia

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

MENANDS, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement after news of the passing of 7-year-old Harbe Nagi in Menands and following the disgusting Islamophobic comments posted online in the wake of his death:

“I was heartbroken yesterday to learn of the passing of 7-year-old Harbe Nagi in Menands — a devastating loss for his family, his friends, and our entire Capital Region community. I was also horrified to see the casual and disgusting Islamophobia on display in the wake of Harbe’s death. There is no place for Islamophobia here in our Capital Region or anywhere else, and our neighbors deserve better than this unmitigated cruelty in their time of need. Let me be clear: our Muslim neighbors love this community and they belong in our Capital Region and in the United States. I extend my deepest condolences to the Nagi family and all who have been affected by this tremendous loss.”

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Tonko Cheers $1.5 Million for Montgomery County to Cleanup Brownfield Sites

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) announced that Montgomery County is being awarded $1.5 million for a Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup (MAC) Assessment Coalition Grant. The funding, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be used to conduct environmental site assessments and support cleanup plans for several sites across the county.

“For decades, the Brownfields Program has helped breathe new life into communities across our nation, bolstering local economies, creating new jobs, supporting environmental justice communities and protecting public health,” said Congressman Tonko, Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment. “Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to support this worthy program and bring these sweeping benefits to our Capital Region and beyond. I’m thrilled to see this significant funding that will create new opportunities for those who call Montgomery County home and strengthen our region for years to come.”

EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. Tonko has long supported brownfield renewal efforts and pushed for funding provided in this program.

The funding for Montgomery County is one of more than a dozen awardees in New York receiving a total of over $14 million in Brownfields program funding. The grant for Montgomery will be used to inventory and prioritize sites and conduct 26 Phase I and 11 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds will also be used to develop ten cleanup plans and five site reuse assessments, and support community engagement activities. Assessment activities will focus on the Village of St. Johnsville, the Village of Nelliston’s Brownfield Opportunity Area, and the City of Amsterdam’s East End Brownfield Opportunity Area. Priority sites include a 3.7-acre unsecured former industrial property abandoned since the 1990s, a 5.3-acre former carpet mill, and a 2.2-acre lot used for cheese production from the 1940s until it was abandoned in the 1990s.

Tonko Announces $487K Grant for City of Rensselaer to Construct Timber Bridge Over Quackenderry Creek

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

RENSSELAER, NY — Today, Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) announced that the City of Rensselaer has been awarded $487,174 in federal funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Timber for Transit program to design and construct a timber bridge over Quackenderry Creek. Once constructed, this bridge will provide residents and visitors with safe, permanent access into the City-owned property known as The Hollow.

Separate from this funding, Tonko is also pushing for additional federal dollars for the City of Rensselaer Hollow Trail through the Fiscal Year 2027 Community Project Funding Process. That project would fund development of a trailhead at The Hollow’s southern entry-point, add accessible parking, and better connect existing trails. Further details on that project can be found HERE.

“I’m thrilled to announce this significant award that will bring new recreational opportunities and lasting infrastructural improvements to the City of Rensselaer,” Congressman Tonko said. “With this new bridge, residents and visitors to the City will have a safe, permanent point of access to The Hollow, improving connectivity to nearby businesses by linking existing trails to other natural assets in the area. I’m proud to celebrate this grant, and I’m eager to see the benefits this project will bring to the City of Rensselaer and to our region as a whole.”

“The Rensselaer Hollow Trail Project will create a nearly 2-mile paved off-road trail through the Hollow Preserve, connecting several residential neighborhoods with the Rensselaer City School District campus. We are most grateful to Congressman Tonko and the Northern Border Regional Commission for the Timber-For-Transit funded bridge that will enable the trail to cross the Quackenderry Creek which runs from East Greenbush, through Rensselaer, to the Hudson River,” said John DeFrancesco, Mayor of the City of Rensselaer. “Also, with the help of Congressman Tonko, we are seeking funding for a welcoming Trail Head into the Hollow that will have parking, a play area and informational kiosks as well as on-road connections to several existing trails in the community (the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, the Empire State Trail, the Rensselaer Waterfront Trail and the Multi-Use Path being added to the new Livingston Avenue Bridge) that will make the Hollow Trail an accessible resource for the broader community,” concluded Mayor DeFrancesco.

The Northern Border Regional Commission is a Federal-State partnership for economic and community development in northern Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Each year, the NBRC provides federal funding for critical economic and community development projects throughout the northeast, leading to the creation of new jobs and the leveraging of substantial private sector investments.

The NBRC’s Timber for Transit program advances the use of wood materials and composites through applied research and demonstration projects that showcase the suitability of such materials in transportation and transportation-adjacent infrastructure, in alignment with state and community initiatives. These projects help to demonstrate and promote the utility of high value forest products in transportation infrastructure and planning for extreme weather readiness.

Tonko Cheers Advance of Key Health Priorities Out of House Committee

Thu, 21 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) today celebrated the advance of several priorities he champions impacting the health and wellbeing of American families out of the full Energy and Commerce Committee today. Among the bills advanced include:

H.R. 8209 the School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act
- This legislation would reauthorize the SBHC grant program. SBHCs help to deliver comprehensive primary health care services to millions of children across the country, including in NY-20 where Tonko represents.

H.R. 3747, the Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act
- This legislation would equip primary care providers with additional tools and training necessary to detect, diagnose, and treat Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

H.R. 4348, to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act
- This legislation would reauthorize key programs at the CDC that fund both research and support for local public health agencies to address tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease.

“Over my years in Congress, I have remained laser focused on advancing commonsense, meaningful legislation that bolsters the health and wellbeing of the American people,” Congressman Tonko said. “The movement of several of my health priorities through committee is a powerful step in that effort. I’m grateful to my committee colleagues who helped lead these bipartisan efforts with me, and I’ll continue working to move the needle on these bills and get them signed into law.”

Tonko spoke in support of this legislation during today’s Energy and Commerce Committee markup. He authored and introduced H.R. 8209 and is a lead Democrat co-sponsoring H.R. 3747 and H.R. 4348. His remarks on his School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8209) can be read below:

I rise in strong support of the School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act, legislation I was proud to author, along with my colleague, Representative Troy Balderson.

School-Based Health Centers help to deliver comprehensive primary health care services to millions of children across the country. By locating directly ins or near schools, SBHCs are able to provide high-quality care in a convenient setting. Today, there are more than 2,500 school-based health centers nationwide, serving more than 6.3 million K-12 students.

In my district I am especially proud of the work of health centers including Whitney Young Health and Hometown Health which operate multiple school-based health centers in the Capital Region of New York including in Albany, Watervliet and Schenectady.

The services provided by School-Based Health Centers can be a lifeline for children who may not have convenient ways to access care in other settings – especially for services like behavioral health, where there can still be stigma associated with seeking care.

Through the School Based Health Center program, funding can be used to establish new school-based sites or to upgrade current facilities to serve additional children.

I’ve been proud to be a long-time supporter of this program, and I’m grateful for the bipartisan support in reauthorizing this program today.

However, as we think about the role of school-based health centers moving forward, I would encourage this committee to think bigger and bolder, because every child, family and community can benefit from SBHCs.

We can do this not only by expanding this grant funding stream to bring hundreds of new and expanded sites on board, but also by securing and strengthening programs like Medicaid and CHIP that help make the SBHC model sustainable.

Our children deserve nothing less.

Tonko, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Behavioral Health Care for Rare Disease Community

Thu, 14 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Don Bacon (NE-2) announced the introduction of a bipartisan resolution recognizing the significant and often overlooked behavioral health needs experienced by individuals and their families affected by rare diseases.

An estimated 1 in 10 Americans are affected by a rare disease, over half of those affected being children, yet 95 percent of rare diseases do not have any FDA-approved treatments. On top of that, access to behavioral health care for rare disease patients and caregivers remains limited due to the shortages of trained clinicians, geographic barriers, low reimbursement rates, and fragmented mental health care.

“Patients, caregivers, and families have often spoken to me about the huge mental toll of living with a rare disease, from delayed diagnoses, to limited treatment options, to the emotional and financial strain of navigating fragmented healthcare systems,” Congressman Tonko said. “For these millions fighting for hope, behavioral health support is not ancillary, but a requirement that cannot be ignored. I’m proud to join Representative Bacon to bring attention to this issue and will push for Congress to address the too often unmet behavioral health needs of our rare disease community.”

“The mental health crisis affecting our communities is one of the most serious challenges of our time, and we cannot overlook the rare disease community,” said Rep. Bacon. “Patients, caregivers, and families often face delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and years of uncertainty. I’m pleased to join Rep. Tonko in introducing this bipartisan resolution to recognize these challenges and support better access to mental health care.”

As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Addiction Treatment and Recovery (ATR) Caucus, Rep. Tonko has long worked on issues surrounding mental health parity and access to quality and affordable mental health care. Further, he authored the Helping Experts Accelerate Rare Treatments (HEART) Act, legislation that became law in 2022 and that strengthens the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review process for drugs that treat rare and ultra-rare diseases by directly involving scientists and doctors with expertise throughout the review process.

The bill is endorsed by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the Caregiver Action Network, the American Psychological Association, and Give an Hour.

Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.