Paul Tonko

I think the important thing here with the tax situation is that, you know, Representative Kagen is exactly right. What we were targeting, what we were focusing, is the bulk of American workers out there, middle-income Americans who were…

Absolutely. And Representative Garamendi, I would commend you for bringing us together tonight so as to alert people to these benefits. They are part of the Recovery Act. The Recovery Act has been, you know, driving a very strong outcome…

Exactly. And then with the earned income tax credit we stretch the eligibility, and we further reduce the marriage penalty. And so there is an awful lot here that speaks to many, many people who have benefited. That's why it is historic in…

Yes. Well, one of my favorite topics is energy. No matter where we live, whether it's California, Ohio, Wisconsin, those representatives hear what I hear, that we need to understand that we can control our destiny when it comes to energy…

I would also mention, if I might, the jobs associated with the production tax credit, be it wind or solar or geothermal, waste energy projects. All of these efforts are critically important to providing that capacity that we need as a…

Well, I think in New York, obviously, the benefit that comes via the child tax credit or the earned income tax credit is something that needs to be paid strict attention to. We are helping, we are empowering some of the--well, in this…

Today we answer the clarion call from the American people to fix our Nation's broken health care system. Today is the day we deliver on that promise with a vote as historic as the creation of Social Security and Medicare. Today I will cast…

This is an extraordinary opportunity to provide for middle-income America, to provide income for them so that they can promote wellness within their individual families. Absolutely tremendously strong idea. It empowers the middle class…

There is all the call for civil discussion, exchange of information to do things analytically and substantively when it comes to a huge industry that represents $1 of $6 in this country, and we need to do it in a way that brings together…

I will add to your list. And I am glad, Representative, that you made mention that no benefit cuts are included in the language of the bill. So these are another bit of freedoms that we are talking about in this measure.

It is important, I believe, for us to recognize... 62 percent of bankruptcies in this country are caused by exorbitant medical fees, health care that is not covered even though in some cases people are insured.

I think what is important to note is the nomenclature on this one is rather offensive. We talk about the doughnut hole as being Medicare part D, but who is paying that? Is Medicare paying that? No, our senior community. Our senior citizens…

I think in addition to that, and you are very right, to have oversubsidized the Medicare Advantage programs some 12 to 14 percent, people say where are the costs coming? Not from you, from the profit column. And actually, we want that to…

I would have to add to your list of benefits in this measure is the stabilization of the Medicare trust fund, providing that trust fund as we go forward being a stronger element out there, enabling us to again provide the Medicare benefits…

I think I need to share with the American public that their plan means 50 million Americans will go without health care coverage. I think that's an important distinction here. And also when we talk about their plan, to me it translates to…

I think it is so important for us to move forward and not be derailed in our efforts to reform what is important policy in this country. Health care, obviously, is something that needs to be provided in terms of insurance to our working…

This week we are closer than we have ever been to passing real, comprehensive health insurance reform for the American people. Reform is simple. It gives consumers, working families, and small businesses more control and forces insurance…

We have been talking about health care reform for nearly a century, and certainly inaction is no longer acceptable. The American people voted for and demand reform. They deserve our support. Health insurance reform is about cost. These…

To the credit of the leadership in the House--and I have to credit Speaker Pelosi for really advancing the innovation economy. She believes in that investment. She understands that jobs are the greatest issue that are out there challenging…

A crisis is a terrible thing to waste. We have an opportunity here to take an economy that crumbled because of the lack of regulatory aspects, the lack of stewardship, the lack of watchdogs that could have kept it into working order. As…

Thank you, Representative Dahlkemper. And it is a pleasure to hear both Congressmen from Michigan and California and you as a Representative from Pennsylvania all speaking the voice of the freshman class. I'm so enthused to work with all…

Thank you for bringing us together this evening for this discussion on the small business agenda here in Washington. Obviously, as has been stated so many times during this session of Congress, the number one priority is jobs, jobs, jobs…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4247, the Keeping All Students Safe Act. This bill is aimed at restricting some of the most abusive practices still employed in certain schools around the country: negligent restraint and…

That simply states, no choice, no choice for the consumer. That means a runaway with costs that are going to be so inflated. When you look at some of the stats out there, the large five, the big five insurance companies, you know, we look…

This dynamic of competition, as the gentleman from California makes mention, competition is what drives the benefit for the consumer. Competition is stymied by the fact in my home State of New York three companies, three insurers, have…