Paul Tonko, a longstanding member of the U.S. Congress representing New York’s 20th district since 2009, has been vocal on social media regarding recent developments in healthcare legislation. Tonko, who succeeded Michael McNulty and previously served in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 2007, has been addressing his concerns about budget decisions made by Republicans in Congress.
On May 15, 2025, Tonko expressed his disapproval of a budget passed by Republicans in the Energy and Commerce Committee. He stated that it “rips healthcare away from Americans” but assured his followers that “the fight isn’t over.” He emphasized his commitment to advocating for Medicaid protection for individuals like Samantha, who has faced chronic health issues since childhood.
The following day, on May 16, Tonko reiterated his opposition to Republican efforts to cut Medicaid. In a tweet posted at 15:10 UTC, he highlighted the story of Rossiluz, who shared with him that Medicaid provides her family with “peace of mind,” asserting that without it “we wouldn’t make it.”
Later on May 16 at 16:19 UTC, Tonko announced that a GOP budget proposal had been voted down in committee. He described this as an “immoral” and “irresponsible” plan by Republicans who failed to reach consensus on cutting services. While celebrating this as a victory for now, he emphasized the ongoing struggle to establish a budget “that truly meets the needs of our communities.”
Paul Tonko was born in Amsterdam, New York in 1949 and graduated from Clarkson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971.
