Speaker Johnson needs to stop hiding behind the skirts of this lying administration and actually do his job. The American people want answers. The survivors of Epstein’s abuse want justice. Release the files.
Engineer. Ice cream lover. Congressman for #NY20, including Albany, Amsterdam, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs & more
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Speaker Johnson needs to stop hiding behind the skirts of this lying administration and actually do his job. The American people want answers. The survivors of Epstein’s abuse want justice. Release the files.
The corrupt Supreme Court gave the green light for the Trump administration to keep targeting people based on the color of their skin and the language they speak. This overtly racist policy hurts immigrants and American citizens alike. It cannot be allowed to stand.
Trump’s reckless tariffs are driving up costs for families and hurting American businesses large and small – but Republicans refuse to stand up for their constituents. Read my latest newsletter for more on the impact of these disastrous policies: tonko.house.gov/news/email/s...
Another dismal jobs report, one of the worst reported since the COVID pandemic. Trump and Republicans are costing jobs, driving up prices, and making life harder for everyday Americans. Their assault against the working class needs to end.
For years, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the meteoric rise of sports gambling and the threat it poses to our communities. Check out my conversation with ODAAT Gambling Awareness on the need to tackle this addiction and public health crisis.
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts kids and communities across our nation. Today, my colleague Brian Fitzpatrick and I introduced the bipartisan Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act to address this threat, improve IAQ nationwide, and protect public health.
For more than 4 decades, Greg Floyd has been a trusted, respected voice informing our Capital Region and beyond. I congratulate him on a tremendous career and legacy that will long be felt and celebrated!
The White House is doing everything in its power to prevent the Epstein files from being released. The American people need and deserve transparency. I'm joining the push to force a vote in the House to release these files.
Today we celebrate the achievements of the labor movement and the contributions of workers everywhere. From establishing the 8-hour workday, to securing workplace health and safety protections, union workers have built a stronger, fairer, more prosperous nation. Happy Labor Day!
I marked Overdose Awareness Day by traveling across the district this week to meet with individuals in recovery, their loved ones, and advocates. Addiction needs a response rooted in hope. Read my newsletter to learn more about my effort to provide that hope. tonko.house.gov/news/email/s...
The Trump administration is taking a page out of big insurance’s playbook—using AI to review and decide care for patients under Medicare. The result will mean more delays and denial of coverage that Americans need and deserve.
The painful testimonies I heard today will fill my voice as I return to Washington, and I’ll continue to work with our providers and community advocates to honor those we’ve lost and ensure that our powerful work to combat the overdose crisis continues.
During our conversation, I heard stories and answered questions about how this cruel Republican budget is making it harder for our providers to deliver vital community services and provide accessible care to those suffering from substance use disorder here in our Capital Region.
Tonight, as we approach International Overdose Awareness Day, I was proud to join Friends of Recovery - New York to host a town hall event to discuss how recent federal policy changes, including the GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill, are impacting the overdose crisis and public health in our communities.
Next month, my office will be hosting Mobile Office Hours events in each of the five counties across our 20th district. If you're in the area and have questions about federal services or need assistance with a federal agency, I welcome you to stop by and speak with my staff!
This morning, I joined @schumer.senate.gov at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam to discuss how Democrats are working to reverse the Big, Ugly Bill’s devastating cuts for rural hospitals. Now more than ever, rural providers need our support to continue delivering care to those who need it.
This project transforms a vacant lot into a vital new green space featuring picnic tables, playground equipment, and an expanded community garden that will allow local residents to grow their own healthy food and foster a vibrant community in this isolated neighborhood.
Honored to be in my hometown of Amsterdam today to celebrate the ribbon cutting at Esperanza Verde Park, a beautiful new community gathering space for which I secured $650,000 through the FY23 Community Project Funding Process!
We need real action that protects our children and ends the nightmare of gun violence across our nation. 2/2
Just as so many kids across the country are starting their first week of school, we are rocked with yet another tragedy. My heart goes out to the Minneapolis community devastated by this horrific act of violence. We need so much more than thoughts and prayers right now. 1/2
Today, I joined residents and community members at Schaffer Heights Apartments in Schenectady to host an event to help keep seniors informed on how to spot fraudulent promotions and avoid scammers. Proud to join our partners in presenting this important educational event!
So proud to be at Albany High School this morning to celebrate completion of the transformative Rebuilding Albany High School project! This is a significant community investment in our students’ future, and I can’t wait to see them thrive here for generations to come.
The sports gambling industry has turned every game, pass, and play into a chance to bet. Young adults and vulnerable groups will be hit hardest by this constant barrage. We need standards that protect people and public health. We need to pass my SAFE Bet Act.
Together, we joined with labor leaders and grassroots organizers to discuss how GOP policies are impacting our health care, our education, our cost of living, and more – and to give community members the tools they need to join us in fighting back.
The GOP has advanced a budget that slashes essential services and increases the cost of living for working people, all while handing trillions in tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. Republicans won’t come out to defend their cruel budget – because it’s indefensible.
On Friday night, I was thrilled to join my fellow @usprogressives.bsky.social @pressley.house.gov and @balint.house.gov at a Town Hall in Glens Falls to highlight the damaging impacts of the recently passed Republican budget and to present a more just, equitable vision for the future of our nation.
This bill would prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid payments, making it even harder for low-income people to access the care they need. This is unconscionable, and my Democratic colleagues and I will continue to fight this injustice with every tool we have.
Today, I was proud to join my fellow Reproductive Freedom Caucus member @pressley.house.gov at Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood to learn how the GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill will impact Planned Parenthood’s ability to provide essential reproductive care to those who need it most.
Even as the Trump administration rescinds more than $1 billion in already-allocated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and hundreds of local outlets nationwide, I’ll keep fighting to support our public broadcasters and all those who rely on them.
It was great to join so many members of our community with WMHT and the Tri-City ValleyCats to experience firsthand what public broadcasters mean to our Capital Region community, and to renew my commitment to restoring funding for these vital local resources.
This evening, I was proud to be with WMHT for their Family Fun Day in Troy, where I joined President & CEO Anthony Hayes and the Cat in the Hat to highlight the importance of public broadcasting for keeping our communities safe and informed.
I’m outside the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, where ICE just illegally denied me entry to this facility where many of my constituents are being held. This administration is flagrantly violating the law – but I’ll keep pushing to demand accountability and due process.
Honored to be in Hoosick Falls this morning for the grand opening of Lanford Wood Community Forest – an incredible new resource for Rensselaer County with miles of fresh trails for residents and visitors alike to explore for generations to come!
Great to meet Brendon and Julianna from the Wait in the Wings YouTube documentary series today at Steamer No. 10 Theatre in Albany to explore this local gem and talk about our Capital Region’s local venues, our favorite musicals, and more!
After hearing heartfelt stories from so many today, I’m ready to return to Washington to let Republicans know how much Social Security means to seniors in communities here in our Capital Region and beyond – and I’ll never stop fighting to preserve this program for years to come.
With Social Security under relentless attack from the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress, it is more vital than ever that we protect this earned benefit and ensure that our nation is there to help future generations retire with comfort and dignity.
Today, I joined a big crowd at the Colonie Senior Service Center for a celebration of Social Security as we mark the 90th birthday of this lifeline for millions of Americans. It was so great to hear from our Capital Region seniors about how this program has bettered their lives.
The VA & EPA have torn up their union contracts, gutting workers’ rights, threatening veterans’ care, and endangering our environment. This authoritarian union-busting is an assault on democracy & working people. We must fight back. We stand with AFGE. www.afge.org/article/va-r...
Great to be with @aarpny.bsky.social in Albany yesterday to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Social Security! It was wonderful to join AARP members to enjoy pizza and hear their stories about what Social Security means to them – highlighting the need to protect this vital earned benefit.
When a violent mob stormed the Capitol on Jan 6, beating police, smashing windows, and breaking down doors, Trump didn't bring in the National Guard. But today—with crime at a 30 year low—he's deploying them and placing DC police under federal control. This isn't about safety.
As the Trump administration attempts to eliminate federal programs that help American families afford shelter, essential repairs, and home energy upgrades, I’m committed to working directly with local organizations like AHP to ensure these critical services go uninterrupted.
Today, I was proud to tour the facilities at the Affordable Housing Partnership in Albany to learn more about how they’re working to help first-time homebuyers and low-income residents of our Capital Region access the resources they need to find safe and secure housing.
This move by the Trump administration is an attack on the dedicated workers who serve our veterans every day – one that will make it more difficult for the VA to fulfill its essential mission. This administration is no friend of labor or our veterans. www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/p...
📢My office is hosting a Know Your Rights informational webinar on Tuesday, August 12th at 6PM. The event will be streamed LIVE at facebook.com/reppaultonko, after which a recording will be available on my Facebook and YouTube pages. See below for more details.
Great to be with so many members of our community last night at National Night Out celebrations in Albany and Niskayuna! I’m proud to support these events that help promote trust, foster partnerships, and build strong community ties here in our Capital Region and beyond.
Community Health Centers have long served as pillars of our Capital Region community, providing top-notch care to all patients regardless of their income or immigration status. That’s why together, we must keep up the fight to secure a strong future for community-based care.
Recent federal policy changes, including those enacted through the GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill, will strip insurance coverage from millions and ban CHCs like Whitney Young from using federal funds to serve undocumented patients – jeopardizing access to care for countless Americans.
Today, as we mark National Health Center week, I brought together partners, advocates, and state leaders at Whitney Young Health Center for a discussion about how federal funding cuts and directives are threatening the survival of our local Community Health Centers and their vital mission.
Thrilled to join @nynurses.bsky.social last night to celebrate ratification of a new labor agreement with Albany Med that will ensure our nurses have the staffing, resources, and workplace protections they need to continue delivering compassionate care to folks across our Capital Region!
News flash—when you fire workers, gut agencies, cut funding, and impose massive tariffs, the economy suffers. But instead of doing anything to fix it and help working Americans, Trump is throwing a tantrum and blaming someone else for his mistakes.
Next Thursday, August 7th from 4 PM to 6 PM, my office is hosting Mobile Office Hours at the Rensselaer Public Library! If you're in the area and have questions about federal services or need assistance with a federal agency, I welcome you to stop by and speak with my staff!
By sharing our stories and emphasizing the need to protect our nation’s parks, museums, lands, and cultural heritage, we can demonstrate a broad, visible resistance to the politicization of our shared past – and a renewed commitment to federal stewardship of our shared heritage.
As this administration cuts funding for the National Park Service, slashes the Historic Preservation Fund, and guts the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), our shared history is under threat like never before – and we must act to preserve these diverse stories.
This morning, I hosted a campfire chat at Peebles Island State Park to stand united with local preservationists, historians, advocates, and community leaders and give the Trump administration one clear message: Hands Off Our History!
For 60 years, Medicaid and Medicare have provided affordable, quality health care. Thanks to Trump and Republicans' Big Ugly Law, 15 million Americans will lose this lifeline. But we're keeping up the fight to reverse these cuts and rebuild America's health care system.
I’m so grateful to Rep. Balint for hosting me today, and I’m committed to continuing my work with her and the ATR Caucus to deliver resources to these outstanding community organizations and individuals – including through our innovative Combating Loneliness Act.
Together, we toured the new facility at the Turning Point Center of Bennington and the BAART Bennington treatment hub, met with local stakeholders and individuals in recovery, and learned more about how we can help provide them with the support they need.
Today, I was proud to join my fellow ATR Caucus member @balint.house.gov for a day in Bennington, Vermont to meet with community leaders and tour treatment and recovery facilities on the front lines of the fight against our nation’s twin crises of addiction and mental illness.
My statement on the Trump administration's latest proposal to end climate protections by gutting the federal government's ability to regulate pollution and limit carbon emissions:
I was honored to show our visitor what makes our Capital Region so special, with stops at the New York State Capitol, GlobalFoundries, the Saratoga County Fair, and much more. Thank you for making the trip, and I hope you’ll come visit us again soon!
This weekend, I was proud to welcome Gurinder Singh Josan, Member of the British Parliament for Smethwick, to the Capital Region as part of the British American Parliamentary Group - a wonderful opportunity to discuss potential areas of cooperation between our two nations.
I’m outraged by this decision, and I remain dedicated to working alongside these local leaders in the fight for justice and for the resources our residents deserve. Together, we’ll keep pushing to reinstate this critical funding and hold this administration accountable.
This project, a joint effort of seven incredible community organizations, was designed to improve public health and climate resiliency in Albany’s underserved neighborhoods. The termination of this grant halts these lifesaving efforts in the areas that need them most.
Today, I joined representatives of the ALL(bany) Together Project for a roundtable following the Trump administration’s cancellation of the $20 million EPA Community Change Grant they had been awarded - a devastating setback to the fight for environmental justice in our region.
Once again, the Supreme Court is letting Trump and his administration play petty politics by steamrolling an independent agency set up by Congress to protect consumers. Without these experts, safety standards will fall by the wayside, causing untold harm.
Trump and his EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin put polluters first by repealing standards limiting mercury and air toxics pollution from power plants — endangering the health and safety of millions. I led 73 members of Congress with @reppaultonko.bsky.social to urge reinstatement of these standards.
Next Wednesday, July 30th from 4 PM to 6 PM, my office is hosting Mobile Office Hours at the Glenville Branch Library! If you're in the area and have questions about federal services or need assistance with a federal agency, I welcome you to stop by and speak with my staff!
Speaker Johnson cancelled votes for the week and the House will not be in session again until September. Why shut down the House? Because Republicans are too scared to vote to release the Epstein files. The American people deserve to know the truth.
Count on yourself and your fellow Americans – don’t underestimate yourself and your fellow citizens, either. Start where you are, with what you have, and grow from there. 11/11
President Trump is not a clown or a buffoon – don’t underestimate him. Trump is one of the most effective propagandists in history and has been conditioning people to believe falsehoods for the last decade. 10/11
Wallowing in the mire is not the same as picking up a shovel. Don’t confuse reading the news and being informed with doing the work. 9/11
Anticipate the next threat, not just the current one. In other words, don’t chase the ball – go where the ball will be. 8/11
Solidarity, not charity, prevents burnout. You are not a savior. We are ALL affected by what is happening – the rights of groups we don’t belong to are inextricably connected to our own rights. 7/11
Don’t wait for the cavalry – become it. Scientists cut off from NIH funds, lawyers pushing back against draconian immigration raids, and pediatric associations boycotting sham vaccine panels all showed that peer-led resistance works. 6/11
Mass, non-violent protests do work. From the Women’s March to Black Lives Matter to the recent “No Kings” and upcoming “Good Trouble” mobilizations, numbers matter even when actions are local and loosely linked. 5/11
President Trump and his administration are not invincible. Authoritarians want us to think they are invincible because they want us to feel helpless, hopeless, and cynical – but they aren’t invincible, and we aren’t helpless. 4/11
Make democracy work part of ordinary life, not an add-on. It is not something that is separate from our values and daily practices. 3/11
Refuse to normalize what is happening to our country – because it is not normal. We must stay in touch with our outrage and refuse to accept the idea that the deluge of unconstitutional, horrible actions is our new normal. 2/11
Last month, I had the chance to speak with experts Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Corey Dukes, and Lauren DesRosiers about the steps ALL of us can take to help defend our democracy. While you can watch the full conversation below, here are some key takeaways.🧵
Ripping people off the streets while wearing masks, refusing to identify themselves, and using unmarked vans are not the actions of a legitimate law enforcement agency. These actions sow terror in our communities and I’ll be demanding answers from ICE. www.timesunion.com/news/article...
Once again, the GOP bowed down to do Trump's bidding, slashing funding for PBS, NPR, and lifesaving international aid—all of which was already approved by Congress. Republicans might be fine with ignoring their congressional duties, but I am not. I voted NO.
Stripping away specialized crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth, like the 988 crisis lifeline, is an act of utter cruelty. This was a lifeline for nearly 1.3 million young people, many of whom had nowhere else to turn. We should be expanding these resources, not dismantling them.
From emergency alerts, to educational programming, to extreme weather updates, independent public broadcasting plays a vital role in keeping our communities safe. Republicans—at the demand of Trump—are working to slash this funding. I'll be voting NO to these petty, cruel cuts.
This is sickening. No human being should be locked in hot, mosquito-infested cages with dozens of others, denied sufficient food, and with non-functioning, overflowing toilets. It needs to be shut down immediately.
Against all logic, President Trump is once again moving forward with his disastrous tariff scheme and—once again—working Americans are paying the price for his failure. This chaos needs to end.
For years, I’ve said our Capital Region is uniquely positioned to lead the nation – and the world – in semiconductor manufacturing, cutting-edge research, and workforce development. Today, I’m grateful to all those who have helped make that vision a reality.
This flagship facility, made possible in part by investments from our CHIPS and Science Act and my Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act, will help enable the high-volume production of smaller, faster, and more efficient chips right here in the United States.
Today, I was proud to be at the NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Complex to celebrate the grand opening of the CHIPS for America Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Accelerator – a new national R&D hub that cements our region’s status as a global hub of semiconductor innovation.
Trump has not only failed to deliver a single trade agreement to Congress. He has also completely upended the U.S. economy with illegal tariffs that threaten the livelihood of working families – with the ensuing inflation costing the average household $2,300 this year ALONE.
Proud to join the Friends of Schuyler Mansion today to celebrate new upgrades at this treasured historic site! With important renovations and new hands-on exhibits now in place, locals and visitors alike will be able to fully enjoy one of Albany's treasures for years to come.
If you or someone you know is interested in entering this exciting competition, you can click the link below to view eligibility requirements, judging criteria, and instructions for submitting your app! #Congress4CS tonko.house.gov/constituent-...
Calling all middle and high school students: today marks the launch of this year's NY-20 Congressional App Challenge! This prestigious nationwide competition allows students to compete against their peers by creating an innovative app for mobile, tablet, or desktop devices.
Mental illness should be treated just like any other illness, but stigma continues to limit equal, quality care. Axing Medicare's unjust 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric care is a key step in that effort & something I've pushed for years to fix.
Last week, Republicans passed their Big Ugly Bill — paying for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy on the backs of the rest of us. On today’s Democratic Daily Download, @mcclellan.house.gov spells out exactly how this bill will cost the American people.
Heartbroken by all those lost to the terrifying flooding that continues to devastate Texas. Praying for all those impacted and grateful for the heroic first responders working around the clock on search and rescue efforts.
Trump and Republicans enacted a budget that rips health care from millions, guts food aid, and blows a giant hole in the deficit — all to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Read this week’s newsletter for more on this devastating betrayal of the American people: tonko.house.gov/news/email/s...
Republicans chose cowardice, lies, and kowtowing to Trump over protecting the lives of their own constituents. The American people deserve better than this spineless display by Republicans.
While Democrats stayed united against Trump's Big Ugly Bill, some Republicans whined about the horrible cuts to Medicaid & the $4 trillion hole it adds to our debt—then they went ahead and voted for it anyway. They know how painful this bill is for Americans. They just don't care.
"A clinic in southwest Nebraska announced Wednesday that it is closing due to financial challenges, including anticipated Medicaid cuts."
We’re just as perplexed as @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social. House Republicans keep voting for a budget bill that kills the clean energy tax credits, which they themselves said would “result in a 10% increase in electricity costs for consumers by 2026.” End the war on clean, cheap energy. Kill the Bill.