Paul Tonko

Democrat Representative of New York's 20th district

Representative
New York, district 21
January 6, 2009 - January 3, 2011
Representative
New York, district 21
January 5, 2011 - January 3, 2013
Representative
New York, district 20
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2015
Representative
New York, district 20
January 6, 2015 - January 3, 2017
Representative
New York, district 20
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019
Representative
New York, district 20
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
New York, district 20
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
New York, district 20
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-5076

@RepPaulTonko

tonko.house.gov

Send Postcard

Congresses Served

House Terms

June 18, 1949 (75 years old)

Birthday

Serving as U.S. representative for New York’s 20th congressional district since 2013, previously represented the 21st district from 2009 to 2013.
Described as a staunch progressive.
Served in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 2007, representing the 105th district.
Was president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority from 2007 to 2008.
Ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials in the 118th Congress.
Lifelong resident of Amsterdam, New York, with Polish descent.
Holds a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering from Clarkson University.
Became active in local politics in the early 1970s, serving on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors from 1976 to 1983.
Sponsored significant legislation including Timothy’s Law for mental health treatment coverage and the Northeast Dairy Compact.
Has focused on energy policy in Congress, sponsoring bills related to wind energy research and efficiency of gas turbines.
Praised the 2011 State of the Union address for focusing on growing the economy and jobs.
Opposed the Trans Pacific Partnership citing trade deficits and the use of child labor.
Criticized for supporting Planned Parenthood by Bishop Edward Bernard Scharfenberger of Albany in 2017.
Co-signed a letter in 2020 condemning Azerbaijan’s offensive operations against Nagorno-Karabakh.
Instrumental in passing provisions in the CHIPS and Science Act into law in 2022.
Voted in favor of directing President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days in 2023.
Member of over 65 House caucuses, including the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus.