Campaign Updates & News

 Congressman Paul Tonko is one of the lawmakers now calling for  Cuomo's resignation, calling the drama surrounding the governor "an  unnecessary distraction during a critical time for all New Yorkers."

   Congressman Paul Tonko is among a bipartisan group in Congress who introduced the COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act. 

The bill would study COVID's effects on mental health, with an emphasis on healthcare workers and children.

Tonko celebrated the passing of American Rescue Plan, legislation that reportedly provides a lifeline to struggling workers, families and communities, gives resources to schools, and for the first time puts a comprehensive vaccination plan in place. 

Tonko helped advance the funding as part of COVID relief legislation, passed by  Congress last year. The funding includes economic relief for struggling airport concessions and funds the purchase of life-saving personal  protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies and other measures to  combat COVID-19.

 Tonko advanced his bipartisan Medicaid Reentry Act on  Friday as part of the COVID-19 relief budget reconciliation bill. The  bill allows states to restore Medicaid eligibility for incarcerated  individuals up to 30 days before their release. This will ensure they will have access to services including mental health support, addiction treatment and COVID testing. 

 The CDC says that over 40% of adults reported  exhibiting a new symptom of a mental or behavioral health condition  during the COVID-19 pandemic. While programs to address these crises  exist at the federal level, they often lack clear, unified direction.