Tonko Urges Speaker to Cancel Recess, Cites Large To-Do List for House

Statement

Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) joined 70 of his colleagues last week in asking Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to cancel recess, citing an extensive list of tasks left untouched by the House Majority. The U.S. House of Representatives now stands in recess for more than five weeks until September 8. Tonko released the following statement in support of the letter he sent to Boehner:

"When you show up to your job and refuse to do what is asked of you, you don't get a five-week break. Congress hasn't earned it, plain and simple. For more than a year, I and my Democratic colleagues have called on the House majority to give a simple up or down vote to critical legislation the American people continue to ask to be passed.

"From renewing unemployment insurance, to immigration reform, to enacting fair pay, to raising the minimum wage, to passing meaningful jobs legislation, to a host of other issues, it's well past time for the House to get its act together and begin to once again work for the people.

"With the House now in recess until September, I continue to urge the Speaker to bring us back, re-open the House, and get to work for the American people. Over the next 38 days, I will meet with constituents and community leaders to push policies that will strengthen the middle-class and boost those struggling to enter it."

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