Paul Tonko: “While we will not always be in agreement, I hope that we can find common ground to move this Nation forward on important…”

I believe that leaves the individual of focus this evening, the chairwoman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers).

Mr. Tonko's bill would create a new program specifically for what it defines as the New York-New Jersey Watershed.

I am proud to represent New York's Capital Region, a community and economy that is inextricably linked to the historic Hudson and Mohawk Rivers that flow nearby.

We know the human cost of inaction. To be precise, last year it was 109,680 lives we lost. Is that a cost we are willing to bear? With that in mind, our work is not done, and I hope we can find the will to truly meet the moment. This…