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Paul David Tonko is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 20th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Tonko has focused on various issues including healthcare, renewable energy, and infrastructure. He has been an advocate for policies aimed at addressing climate change and improving public health. Tonko previously served in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 2007, where he held the position of Assembly Majority Leader from 2005 to 2007.
This evening we'll spend some time here in Special Order on the House floor to address a great bit of unfinished business that rests before the House. And we have just returned from what is a 5-week recess where Members of this House were…
The National Weather Service (NWS) is a vital, public safety organization, and the public greatly values the organization and its work.
Congress has a responsibility to the taxpayer to not allow--to not only allocate budgets to the agencies but to ensure that allocated funds are spent wisely and in accordance with the law.
I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding time. I would hope that the order of business on this floor is guided by priorities, the most essential priorities that are calling for this body to respond to the people of this great…
Yes, they are both significant bits of legislation, so it's good to interlace the American Jobs Act and the Affordable Care Act. To the 280,000 teachers, I think it's very easy to state that the human infrastructure in our school systems…
Again, Social Security. You're absolutely right. The President lifted this Nation, and he made certain that all families would have at least a foundation upon which they could grow, upon which they could live in this society. It addressed…
Yes, we're down to our last 4 minutes. I always find these discussions to be interesting because there's all this rhetoric out there about 30 bills that have been advanced by the majority in the House and that it's the salvation that's…
I think it's interesting too because we're talking about the jobs created that impact the unemployment rate, that impact the reduction of the deficit. In contrast, the Ryan budget, which we've talked about many times, the Republican plan…
Well, if I might ask the gentleman from California if he would yield. I believe there's a whole lot of political posturing going on with the Medicaid decision by States. We are hearing a lot of talk about, well, we are not going to pay for…
So when you contrast that, that cut in jobs, the cuts that would be part of the Republican budget plan, adopted by this House, would grow the deficit because if we're arguing that employment reduces the deficit, unemployment, in contrast…
Earlier, I think you had made mention of modernizing our schools and that part of the American Jobs Act includes the investment in the revitalizing of our schools, some 35,000 schools across this Nation. The statistics are there. People…
Here we go again. It isn't enough that the Obama administration's offshore drilling plan makes more than 75 percent of our oil and natural gas resources available for drilling; but the majority is not going to be happy until we have turned…
My colleague from California just indicated that there would be a favorable deficit outcome because of the Affordable Care Act.
A couple of things come to mind legislatively. What about investing, as the AJA does, in community colleges--the campus of choice across this Nation? The associate degree is a very important, valuable bit of material to have in one's hand…
Absolutely. I was energy chair at the State assembly for the last 15 of my 25 years in the legislature, but then went over as president and CEO with NYSERDA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. We made it our goal…
They're typical danger zones with ceilings falling and poorly upheld infrastructure. The jobs--the absolute jobs of a 250,000 count--would benefit, again, the economy. These operating costs are reduced, and they theorize that it could be…
Thank you, Representative Garamendi. One of the things you talked about with the influence or the focus on women's health care reminds me of the preexisting conditions that are precluded now as a rationale for denying insurance. And…
Absolutely. We didn't hear too much about what would be lost in their cuts or repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Representative Garamendi, you are absolutely right, there is much that has been gained by the American population, health…
Well, what else reduces the deficit? Putting people to work. Putting people to work, the American Jobs Act. Plain and simple: It's about addressing the deficit and providing for the dignity of work and the enhancement of services that…
I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act…
Let me do this quickly, Representative Garamendi. We're the greatest nation in the world. I believe our greatest days lie ahead of us. Let us take our golden moments in history when we were faced with heavy challenges, where we responded…
There you go. Always a pleasure to join you on this House floor. And thank you for leading us in a very important discussion this evening here on the floor. It's important for us to recognize that for our business community to compete, and…
But the full package could have been done, which allows for even more opportunity for our veterans if we're hiring police officers and firefighters and educators, teachers. We're building the fabric of the Nation and the infrastructure…
I was going to say, too, that many people will say, well, if the option is made available, which it is, why would they choose that? Why would they want to spend even if there is a tax credit made available? Think about it. The sound…
Politicians like Paul Tonko
