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Paul Tonko's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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On The Ballot: Running, Democratic, Working Families for U.S. House (NY) - District 20

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Paul Tonko did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? "Pro-Choice" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Today marks the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade securing rights of every American to govern our own bodies, make our own healthcare choices & plan our families & futures. These choices are deeply personal. The government has no business telling anyone how to make them #RiseUp4Roe" (twitter.com)
  • "President Trump nominated #BrettKavanaugh for a lifetime on the Supreme Court to roll back Roe v Wade, a key decision protecting a woman’s right to control her own healthcare. Whether or not the Senate confirms him, I will fight to enact legislation to #CommitToRoe no matter what" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to PReserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Social Security is not an entitlement, it's a benefit earned through a lifetime of hard work and productivity. It also lifts 9 million women out of poverty. #Secure2100 strengthens benefits and ensures America's #SocialSecurity safety net remains solvent for generations to come." (twitter.com)
  • "The Trump Administration's #SocialSecurity disability rule would make it harder for people to keep benefits they need & deserve. I joined 100+ of my colleagues to push them to withdraw this unfair and unnecessary rule! #NoSocialSecurityCuts" (twitter.com)
  • "Citizens United helped rig our politics in favor of the rich & powerful. It’s time to #FightBigMoney by passing the Gov't #ByThePeople Act." (twitter.com)
  • Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Yes. I have routinely sponsored legislation in Congress that overturns Citizens United and removes dark money from our politics." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 93% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Americans are raising their voices over the killing of George Floyd and calling to end the ongoing injustices across our nation. We are with you. Proud to stand with my colleagues in support of H.Res. 988 to condemn police brutality, racial profiling and excessive use of force." (twitter.com)
  • "House Democrats passed the George Floyd #JusticeInPolicing Act to end police brutality, hold police accountable, improve transparency and create structural change that safeguards every American’s right to safety and justice. It's time the Senate act!" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "We have seen too many lives taken and communities devastated by police brutality and racial profiling. Action is long overdue. Proud to cast my vote in support of the George Floyd #JusticeInPolicing Act to answer the calls for justice being made by Americans across the nation." (twitter.com)
  • In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Yes. We spend more on defense than the next seven countries combined (China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, France, UK, Japan). Before we look to balance the budget on our most vulnerable citizens, Congress should cut wasteful, duplicative, or obsolete programs in the Defense Department. I support legislation that ensures the wealthiest and well-connected are paying their fair share. So-called "trickle-down" economics is a plan that has been tried, failed, and tried again with the recent GOP tax law." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7900 - “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023” (votesmart.org)
  • Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Efficiency employs more Americans than any other single energy sector, but more than 400,000 jobs have been lost in this field due to the #COVID19 crisis. We need to make smart investments in #EnergyEfficiency to save money, cut pollution & create jobs! #EEDay2020" (twitter.com)
  • "@HouseDemocrats are using every tool at our disposal to create jobs and lower costs for families, including through the #BuildBackBetter Act. This bill would deliver the biggest cut in costs for the middle class in modern history, providing immediate relief for families!" (twitter.com)
  • "After 4 years of Trump incompetence and ignorance of the COVID pandemic and favoring the already wealthy and well-connected, Joe Biden and Democrats have a big job ahead of us to not only build the nation back, but build it back STRONGER. As the nation begins to feel the effects of the American Rescue Act, we will continue to support those who need it." (paultonko.com)
  • "New, more infectious #COVID19 variants are spreading, making it even more urgent that we vaccinate everyone in our communities as quickly as possible. Our COVID relief package invests $14 billion to speed up vaccine distribution and administration." (twitter.com)
  • "Our COVID relief package equips America's health care workforce with the resources they need to vaccinate millions more people as quickly as possible. Congress must pass this immediately." (twitter.com)
  • "The complete failure of the Trump White House’s response to anticipate, prepare, and react to the coronavirus put a historic number of Americans out of a job, wrecked our economy and, at the time of this writing, has wrecked our economy and, at the time of this writing, claimed more than 535,000 American lives. We deserved better, and Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats are dedicated to Building Back Better from the pandemic." (paultonko.com)
  • "PASSED! @HouseDemocrats just voted YES to fighting inflation, slashing energy and health care costs for consumers, and tackling the climate crisis. America’s future just got a lot brighter. #InflationReductionAct" (twitter.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act is a major victory for our region, our nation, and our planet. Please join me and climate advocates from across our region at Albany Skyway on Tuesday for a rally to celebrate passage of the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history!" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7688 “Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "An unprecedented wave of student debt has stifled the economic ambitions of generations of young Americans. Today's announcement offers a small dose of relief for these individuals as they seek to pursue their version of the American dream." (twitter.com)
  • "Democrats have a plan to #BankOnStudents and ease the crushing burden of student loan debt for borrowers. Let’s unleash the American Dream!" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "With the pause on student loan payments set to expire in a month, I joined my colleagues to urge the White House to extend the pause through 2022 & take meaningful action to address the nation’s skyrocketing student debt that is burdening so many individuals and families." (twitter.com)
  • "I was proud to support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore the full strength of the original and historic Voting Rights Act. Now, the Senate must act to pass this vital measure into law. Our democracy is at stake." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 4 “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 5746 “Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "We should all work to make it easier to legally vote, not harder. Yet, Republicans continue their all-out assault on voting rights, making it more difficult to vote with fewer early voting days, fewer polling places, reduced hours, hurdles to mail-in voting, and more. Paul is committed to make sure everyone who wants to cast a legal vote should have more opportunity to do so -- not less." (paultonko.com)
  • Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Investing in clean energy will bring huge savings to American families, lowering utility bills while making our nation healthier and more competitive. The #BuildBackBetter Act makes those investments to propel us towards a more sustainable future. #CleanEnergyIsCheapEnergy" (twitter.com)
  • "We must act NOW to pass bold clean energy investments that combat the ever growing #ClimateCrisis. We can't afford to delay any longer." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Transportation is America’s #1 source of greenhouse gas emissions. We must decarbonize the transportation sector to protect our communities & confront the growing climate crisis. Proud to stand with @SecGranholm to help lead our nation toward our brightest clean energy future!" (twitter.com)
  • "Yes. There should also be a price on carbon." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 9 "Climate Action Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Do you generally support gun-control legislation? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "575 days ago, the House took a historic step forward to advance #HR8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act to help put an end to gun violence & protect our communities. Today we #WearOrangeMasks to keep the pressure on the Senate to finally vote on this life-saving legislation." (twitter.com)
  • "Yes. I support gun violence prevention. I refuse to believe that we must choose between the safety of our citizens, schools, and public places and 2nd Amendment rights for law abiding gun owners. Congress must get out of the pocket of the D.C. gun lobby and represent their constituents." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "#ACA helps real people & shld be improved not repealed. Thx 2 all for making this so clear @ our Faces of the #AffordableCareAct event today" (twitter.com)
  • "Access to affordable health care is critical to quality of life in the Capital Region and to the success of American small businesses trying to compete in a global market. The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, is far from a perfect law. That is why we have to respond to challenges in our healthcare system and fix the parts of the ACA that don’t work while moving forward with the provisions that do." (paultonko.com)
  • "Healthcare is a human right. We need to treat it like one." (twitter.com)
  • "President Biden helped lay the groundwork for more affordable health care in our country. I stand shoulder to shoulder with him and this Administration to deliver on that promise and expand access to quality, affordable care for every American." (twitter.com)
  • "How can we be a country that values family when we don't provide basic support like #paidleave? This #FMLA23, Congress should change that." (twitter.com)
  • "Only 20% of American workers have access to employer-provided paid family leave. The #BuildBackBetter Act brings the U.S. up to 21st century standards by establishing 4 weeks of universal parental, family caregiving and medical leave." (twitter.com)
  • "Paid sick days allow workers to recover at home, and keep fellow workers and our communities safe. Today I joined my colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging that paid family and medical leave be included in his #BuildBackBetter agenda." (twitter.com)
  • "Workers should not be forced to choose between their health and their livelihood. @SenateGOP must pass the #HeroesAct, to secure safer workplaces, deliver paid sick leave, and provide a lifeline for workers on and off the job all across the country. #LaborDay" (twitter.com)
  • "No senior should ever have to choose between paying their monthly bills and affording their medication." (twitter.com)
  • "Thanks to our #InflationReductionAct, seniors across our district will finally be able to afford their prescription drugs, including over 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries in NY-20 whose insulin payments will be capped at $35/month!" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 3 “Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6833 “The Affordable Insulin Now Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "My colleagues and I advanced $4.5 billion in border funding this week to confront the painful, manufactured crisis at our Southern border." (twitter.com)
  • "Fact: Democrats support strong borders & oppose illegal immigration. We believe the best way to improve our security is to upgrade our ports of entry and invest in 21st century technology to address unauthorized crossings, and have long stood for comprehensive immigration reform." (twitter.com)
  • "Fact: The American people don’t want a border wall. It’s a 5th century solution to a 21st century problem." (twitter.com)
  • "#DACA has been a win-win. #DREAMers add billions to US economy, create jobs & raise wages for Americans. #DefendDACA" (twitter.com)
  • Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? "No" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Situations that bring immigrants here unlawfully or cause them to overstay a lawful visit are complex and difficult. Sometimes, individuals are fleeing homelands wrought in poverty and violence and, in these instances, it makes no sense to throw these individuals, often children, back into a dangerous and chaotic environment just to check a box. I support comprehensive immigration reform that ends unauthorized entry and effectively addresses the reality that 11 million undocumented immigrants are currently living here, many of whom hold jobs, make significant contributions to our economy, and have children who are American citizens without turning them away." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "#DACA has been a win-win. #DREAMers add billions to US economy, create jobs & raise wages for Americans. #DefendDACA" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 0% by NumbersUSA (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I strongly condemn Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, which is in clear violation of international law. As President Biden has stated, we must quickly implement a powerful response to target Putin and his cronies with serious, aggressive sanctions, and continue coordinating with our allies to fullest extent to uphold global peace." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 6968 “Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • "As Putin desperately accelerates his brutality in Ukraine, the House passed a $40 billion bipartisan supplemental funding bill to #SupportUkraine with: Military aid. Support for the Ukrainian economy. Humanitarian assistance." (twitter.com)
  • "Heard from President Zelensky this morning and was honored to speak with Ambassador @OMarkarova about what more Congress can do to support the people of Ukraine. We must continue to provide strong humanitarian, military and economic assistance as they bravely defend democracy." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S. 3522 “Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • "Instead of cutting #SocialSecurity, let’s ask millionaires to pay their fair share. #ScrapTheCap" (twitter.com)
  • Rated 8% by National Tax Limtation Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The #BuildBackBetter Act will provide one of the biggest middle class tax cuts in history–paid for by finally making the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share. It's past time we create an economy that works for the American people. Let's get it done." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Public Citizen (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Upstate NY has lost countless jobs to NAFTA & other bad deals. We need fair trade that supports U.S. workers & grows our economy! #FixNAFTA" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 8351 “Formula Act” (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Yes. We spend more on defense than the next seven countries combined (China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, France, UK, Japan). Before we look to balance the budget on our most vulnerable citizens, Congress should cut wasteful, duplicative, or obsolete programs in the Defense Department. I support legislation that ensures the wealthiest and well-connected are paying their fair share. So-called �trickle-down� economics is a plan that has been tried, failed, and tried again with the recent GOP tax law.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes. I have routinely sponsored legislation in Congress that overturns Citizens United and removes dark money from our politics.
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
No. Corporate taxes are already inappropriately low and the 2017 Republican tax law has shown that further tax cuts only benefit the already wealthy and well connected instead of the middle class, families struggling to put food on the table, or the unemployed.
Yes Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
Yes, we should hold our schools to high standards and ensure that every child in America, no matter where they are born, is provided with the solid foundation they need to succeed in a 21st century economy. There should also be sufficient flexibility to ensure that states can meet the needs of diverse student populations and recognition that students have individual needs that may differ from one another.
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes. There should also be a price on carbon.
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes. I support gun violence prevention. I refuse to believe that we must choose between the safety of our citizens, schools, and public places � and 2nd Amendment rights for law abiding gun owners. Congress must get out of the pocket of the D.C. gun lobby and represent their constituents.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
No. I want to work with both Republicans and Democrats to fix existing problems with the ACA and strengthen the law�s provisions that have already benefitted millions of Americans.
No Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Situations that bring immigrants here unlawfully or cause them to overstay a lawful visit are complex and difficult. Sometimes, individuals are fleeing homelands wrought in poverty and violence and, in these instances, it makes no sense to throw these individuals, often children, back into a dangerous and chaotic environment just to check a box. I support comprehensive immigration reform that ends unauthorized entry and effectively addresses the reality that 11 million undocumented immigrants are currently living here, many of whom hold jobs, make significant contributions to our economy, and have children who are American citizens without turning them away.
Yes Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
No Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
No Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
1) Investing in development of renewable energies. We can do this by closing loopholes for companies that pollute and perpetuate our dependency on foreign oil. 2) Upgrading our water infrastructure. Our pipes and water systems are older than the Rutherford B. Hayes administration in many communities. Every day we don�t address this issue, we will have to spend more on repairs in the future. Acting now on this little-talked about crisis saves us money in the long run. 3) Ensuring that we are able to address mental health problems, from suicide prevention to substance use disorder, in a meaningful way.

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