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Area Congressional Representatives React to Trump's State of the Union Address
Capital Region reps Riley, Stefanik & Tonko give diverging takes on Trump's State of the Union – housing, healthcare & more.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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Following President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address, the three Congressional representatives from the Capital Region of New York - Josh Riley (D-Ithaca), Elise Stefanik (R-21st District), and Paul Tonko (D-20th District) - provided sharply contrasting reactions to the President's speech.
Why it matters
The differing perspectives from the three representatives highlight the deep partisan divide in Congress and the nation over Trump's policies and performance. Their comments provide insight into how the President's address was received across the political spectrum.
The details
Representative Josh Riley (D) criticized Trump for not doing enough to protect rural healthcare, lower utility bills, and make life more affordable for families. However, he praised the President for supporting Riley's bipartisan Families First Housing Act. Stefanik (R) praised Trump's speech, highlighting the tax cuts, secure border, and support for the military. In contrast, Tonko (D) lambasted the President's "rambling" and "state of delusion" speech, accusing him of ignoring issues like rising costs and the Epstein scandal.
- President Trump delivered the State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
The players
Josh Riley
A Democratic Representative from New York's 19th congressional district.
Elise Stefanik
A Republican Representative from New York's 21st congressional district and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Olympic Caucus.
Paul Tonko
A Democratic Representative from New York's 20th congressional district.
What they’re saying
“I was honored to bring Kalina Rodriguez, an oncology nurse from East Greenbush, as my guest because she represents the best of our community, putting her heart and soul into her patients and her community. Too many young families like Kalina's are working harder than ever but still falling further behind.”
— Josh Riley, Representative (tapinto.net)
“It was an honor to attend President Trump's State of the Union where he highlighted the significant results that he has worked with Congress to deliver to the American people including the largest tax cut in history, a secure border and a peace through strength national security agenda that supports our men and women in uniform.”
— Elise Stefanik, Representative (tapinto.net)
“The president's rambling speech was less a State of the Union and more of a state of delusion. Yet, in over 100 minutes, amidst reports that the Justice Department redacted dozens of pages in the Epstein files that contain allegations involving Trump and with survivors present in the room, the president completely ignored the victims and acted as if the Epstein files never existed.”
— Paul Tonko, Representative (tapinto.net)
The takeaway
The divergent reactions from the three Congressional representatives highlight the deep partisan divide in Congress over President Trump's policies and performance. Their comments provide a window into how the State of the Union address was received across the political spectrum.
