Paul Tonko

Electoral integrity

Criminal justice

Fiscal policy

Healthcare

Education

Economy and labor

Environment and energy

Immigration

National security and foreign policy

Civil rights and liberties

Social policy

Technology and data

Civil liberties and government power

Government accountability and transparency

Infrastructure and public investment

Tonko addressed the House for 1 minute to express concern that the Trump administration's expected rollback of EPA coal ash rules would weaken protections for groundwater monitoring and coal ash pond lining, thereby putting public health at risk from hazardous heavy metals in coal ash.

Tonko addressed the House for 5 minutes to urge mental health parity enforcement and described Timothy O'Clair, a young man he previously represented who died by suicide at age 12 due to inadequate mental health coverage, and discussed Timothy's Law in New York State and the federal Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

Tonko stated that the United States ranked 14th in solar panel manufacturing in 2017 and is now third, that tax incentives provided long-term certainty for American energy technologies, and that repealing these tax credits would put hundreds of thousands of American energy jobs at risk while benefiting Chinese technologies.

Tonko spoke on the House floor for one minute to share the account of a Federal scientist who worked as a quality manager at an FDA food laboratory and was fired, describing the scientist's responsibilities for ensuring laboratory practices met proper requirements and testing foods for allergens, pesticides, and pathogens.

Tonko delivered a 60-minute special order speech on scientific integrity, discussing federal investments in science, the historical role of the Federal Office of Scientific Research and Development, and defining scientific integrity according to the National Science and Technology Council.

Tonko stated that recent executive actions have targeted the LGBTQ+ community by attacking fundamental rights and threatening jobs and healthcare, and declared his intention to fight these actions.

Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 — This bill advances government transparency by requiring the Department of Agriculture to report to Congress on threats to agriculture and natural resources.

DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024 — This bill supports national security by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security to develop better technology for detecting dangerous drugs at borders and ports of entry.

Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act — This bill advances Native American sovereignty and self-determination by transferring land to tribal control, supporting the civil right of indigenous peoples to govern their own territories.

Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 — This bill supports Holocaust education programs by extending federal authorization and funding for educational initiatives through 2030.

Midnight Rules Relief Act — This bill makes it easier for Congress to overturn multiple regulations at once during presidential transitions, which could reduce executive branch accountability by allowing rapid reversal of rules without individual scrutiny.

Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 — This bill extends and updates federal programs that protect endangered wildlife species and their habitats through conservation funding and partnerships.

Increasing Baseline Updates Act — This bill would advance government transparency by requiring the Congressional Budget Office to publish more frequent budget projections and disclose the economic data behind their calculations.

Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023 — This bill strengthens national security by reducing Chinese government influence over U.S. shipping infrastructure and giving federal authorities more power to prevent foreign manipulation of maritime commerce.

Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. — This bill opposes a carbon tax as economically harmful, taking a stance against a potential revenue-raising or economy-regulating tax policy.

Denouncing the harmful, anti-American energy policies of the Biden administration, and for other purposes. — This bill opposes environmental regulations on energy production and federal lands while promoting increased domestic fossil fuel development.

Restoring American Energy Dominance Act — This bill would block new environmental protections and climate provisions for oil and gas leasing on public lands, favoring fossil fuel extraction over energy transition goals.

Restoring American Energy Dominance Act — This bill would block new environmental protections and climate provisions for oil and gas leasing on public lands, favoring fossil fuel extraction over energy transition goals.

Protecting American Energy Production Act — This bill would protect fossil fuel extraction through fracking by preventing the President from restricting it without Congress approval and prioritizing state over federal environmental regulation.

Protecting American Energy Production Act — This bill would protect fossil fuel extraction through fracking by preventing the President from restricting it without Congress approval and prioritizing state over federal environmental regulation.

Condemning the illegal abduction and forcible transfer of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. — This bill strengthens the U.S. position on a major foreign conflict by formally condemning Russian actions against Ukrainian children and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act — This bill uses sanctions to protect the stability and democracy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, advancing U.S. foreign policy interests in maintaining peace in a strategically important region.

Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act — This bill would restrict or ban applications controlled by foreign adversaries like China from operating in the United States to protect national security and prevent foreign surveillance of Americans.

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024 — This bill extends federal funding and authorization for airport infrastructure programs and aviation services, supporting continued public investment in transportation infrastructure.

Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 — This bill authorizes federal spending to keep government operating and funds student aid programs, representing a decision to maintain current spending levels rather than make cuts or increases.

DOE and SBA Research Act — This bill would advance the economy and labor pillar by fostering collaboration between federal agencies to support research and development activities that include small businesses, potentially creating innovation and job opportunities.