Paul Tonko, U.S. Congressman representing New York’s 20th district since 2009, recently addressed his followers on social media with commentary on civic engagement and congressional proceedings.
On July 21, 2025, Tonko posted: “Wallowing in the mire is not the same as picking up a shovel. Don’t confuse reading the news and being informed with doing the work. 9/11”. In another message posted moments later on July 21, he wrote: “Count on yourself and your fellow Americans – don’t underestimate yourself and your fellow citizens, either. Start where you are, with what you have, and grow from there. 11/11”.
Addressing recent developments in Congress, Tonko commented on July 22: “Speaker Johnson cancelled votes for the week and the House will not be in session again until September. Why shut down the House? Because Republicans are too scared to vote to release the Epstein files. The American people deserve to know the truth.”
Tonko has served as a member of Congress since replacing Michael McNulty in 2009 and previously held office in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 2007. Born in Amsterdam, New York in 1949, Tonko continues to reside there at age 73. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Clarkson University in 1971.
