Chair's Press
Senator Murray Statement on Education Secretary Cardona Announcing a Review of the DeVos Title IX Rule
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona's announcement that the Department of Education will review the existing Title IX rule, which governs how schools handle allegations of sexual harassment and assault and sex discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In May 2020, for… Continue Reading
03.31.21
Senator Murray Statement on Historic Home Care Investment in the American Jobs Plan
Senator Murray: "Democrats understand that in the same way we need roads and bridges, helping working families manage caregiving responsibilities, ensuring people with disabilities and older Americans get the care they need to live independently, and investing in the home care workforce are critical parts of our economic recovery." (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the foll… Continue Reading
03.25.21
Senator Murray Leads Hearing on Confronting Systemic Inequities in Health Care Within COVID-19 Response
HELP Committee held a hearing today on health inequities and the COVID-19 pandemic Senator Murray: "The reality of health inequities is that how you live, and even whether you live or die in a pandemic, is impacted by your race, your income, your zip code, your disability, your gender identity, your sexual orientation, and these factors intersect in ways that compound injustice if you are, for example, a woman of color, or a person with a low income and a disability. Murray highlighted … Continue Reading
03.25.21
In Light of COVID Jobs Crisis, Chair Murray, Ranking Member Burr Seek Input from Stakeholders on Workforce Policies
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, at the direction of Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC), the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is requesting input from stakeholders on policy ideas on workforce development. The Senators announced they intend to work together to develop bipartisan solutions to update and expand workforce training programs, support and expand the National Apprenticeship Act, and encourage innovation. Senators Murray and Burr encou… Continue Reading
03.25.21
Duckworth, Murray, Hirono, Lee Reintroduce EACH Act to Guarantee Abortion Coverage Regardless of A Patient’s Insurance
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), reintroduced the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Care (EACH) Act, a bicameral bill to guarantee abortion coverage-regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance. The EACH Act ends the Hyde Amendment and lifts unjust abortion coverage restrictions f… Continue Reading
03.24.21
Senator Murray Applauds Confirmation of Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health and Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General
Senate confirmed Dr. Levine in a 52-48 vote, and Dr. Murthy in a 57-43 vote Senator Murray: "Dr. Levine has been on the frontlines of this pandemic, which is why she knows firsthand what our states and communities need from the Department of Health and Human Services." Senator Murray: "I'm pleased to have Dr. Murthy returning to the role of Surgeon General at this critical time." Dr. Levine made history as the highest-ranking openly transgender official in the federal government, and… Continue Reading
03.24.21
Senator Murray Urges Speedy Confirmation for Deputy Education Secretary Nominee Cindy Marten to Help Get Students Safely Back to the Classroom and Address Learning Loss
Senator Murray urged colleagues to support Marten's nomination and build on the progress of the American Rescue Plan to get students safely back in the classroom as quickly as possible Senator Murray stressed the importance of a fully-staffed Department of Education in order to address the systemic inequities that have been made worse by COVID-19 Senator Murray: "It's clear Superintendent Marten is an excellent choice to help Secretary Cardona, and that as Deputy Secretary of Education,… Continue Reading
03.23.21
Murray, Scott Act to Undo Unfair, Anti-Worker Rule Favoring Employers in Workplace Discrimination Cases; Restore Fair Process for Workers to Enforce Their Rights
EEOC "conciliation rule" helps employers delay or deny workers justice when they've experienced discrimination on the job New, unnecessary red tape would make the EEOC less responsive to workers' claims Murray-Scott resolution of disapproval would rescind this unfair, anti-worker rule and restore a fair settlement process at EEOC (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Congressman B… Continue Reading
03.23.21
Murray, Murkowski, Jayapal Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Survivors get Critical Sexual Assault Examinations
The Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act develops national standards of care for survivors of sexual assault, strengthens the sexual assault examiner workforce, and expands access to sexual assault examination services ***WATCH: PRESS CONFERENCE INCLUDING SENATORS MURRAY AND MURKOSWKI, REP. JAYAPAL, LEAH GRIFFIN*** (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Co… Continue Reading
03.22.21
Senate Confirms Marty Walsh as Labor Secretary
Senate confirms Marty Walsh to lead Department of Labor by a bipartisan vote of 68-29 Senator Murray: "Our country cannot fully recover from this crisis, unless we begin to change that by rebuilding a stronger, fairer economy. And that starts by making sure we have a Secretary of Labor who will actually champion workers and working families." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S FULL REMARKS HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Marty Walsh to serve as the S… Continue Reading
03.19.21
Murray Praises President Biden’s Pick For Key Role In Pandemic Response
President Biden announced his intent to nominate Dawn O'Connell to serve as Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response O'Connell is a Senior Counselor at HHS, and has been a key advisor on the U.S. response to COVID-19, Zika, Ebola, and other public health threats Murray: "Dawn O'Connell has helped guide our nation's response to some of the biggest global health threats of the last decade, and is exactly the kind of leader we need serving as Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and R… Continue Reading
03.18.21
Senate Confirms Xavier Becerra as Health Secretary
Senate confirms Xavier Becerra to lead Department of Health and Human Services by a bipartisan vote of 50-49 Senator Murray: "We have our work cut out for us. But in Attorney General Becerra-we have a Secretary of Health who is up to the job." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S FULL REMARKS HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Xavier Becerra to serve as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by a bipartisan vote of 50-49. … Continue Reading
03.18.21
Senator Murray Highlights Biden Administration’s Steps to Finally Put COVID Response On Track, Outlines Work Ahead
HELP Committee holds first hearing with Biden Administration COVID task force members: NIH's Dr. Fauci, CDC's Dr. Walensky, HHS' Dr. Kessler, and FDA's Dr. Marks Senator Murray highlights how the American Rescue Plan and the work of the Biden Administration has finally put the federal COVID response on track in regards to public health guidance, testing, and vaccine distribution Senator Murray stresses importance of continuing to address vaccine hesitancy, accessibility and inequity to … Continue Reading
03.17.21
HELP Committee Votes to Advance Surgeon General Nominee Dr. Murthy and Assistant Secretary for Health Nominee Dr. Levine
Dr. Murthy advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 16-6 Dr. Levine advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 13-9 (Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 16-6 to advance the nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy to be U.S. Surgeon General and 13-9 to advance the nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine to be Assistant Secretary for Health. Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the HELP Committee, released the following statements re… Continue Reading
03.16.21
Senator Murray Urges Swift Confirmation for Deputy Labor Secretary Nominee Julie Su, Citing Her Record of Protecting Workers During the Pandemic
Senator Murray urged colleagues to support Julie Su's nomination and build on the progress of the American Rescue Plan to support workers and ensure our economy works for everyone Senator Murray: "Secretary Su's record as a champion for workers is long and clear, and the need to confirm her is obvious, and urgent." Senator Murray: "We need a fully-staffed Department of Labor to protect workers and help us end this pandemic, to foster healthy communities, and to build a stronger, fairer e… Continue Reading
03.15.21
Murray, Scott, Hassan Release GAO Report On Retirement Cybersecurity Which Recommends Department of Labor Issue Guidance
Report confirms cyber threats pose major risk to the over one hundred million Americans with a private defined contribution retirement plan, like a 401k As of 2018, 106 million people were participating in private sector employer-sponsored defined contribution retirement plans with assets of nearly $6.3 trillion GAO recommends Department of Labor issue guidance on fiduciaries' responsibilities regarding cybersecurity Murray: "This report confirms cybersecurity and retirement security… Continue Reading
03.10.21
Murray Praises Biden Administration Move Not to Enforce Restrictions on Socially- Conscious Investing, Proxy Voting
Murray: "Financial security is about planning for the long term, and the Trump Administration's requirement that people doing that ignore environmental, social, and governance criteria made about as much sense as telling someone planning a trip they can't look at a map." (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on Department of Labor's announcement that it would not e… Continue Reading
03.10.21
Murray Re-Introduces Public Health Infrastructure Save Lives Act As New Report Looks At Gaps In Preparedness
Senator Murray re-introduces Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (PHISLA) to establish a dedicated $4.5 billion fund to build and maintain nation's public health infrastructure at every level Bill comes as Trust for America's Health releases annual report on nation's preparedness for public health emergencies, includes PHISLA among recommendations to address gaps Senator Murray: "The simple fact is-public health infrastructure saves lives… And the better funded and prepa… Continue Reading
03.10.21
Senator Murray Applauds House Passage of the PRO Act, Urges Senate Action
Senator Murray: "As workers continue to bear the brunt of this pandemic, ensuring they can stand together and fight for better pay, quality health care, a safer workplace, and a secure retirement has never been more important." (Washington, D.C.) - Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on House passage of her Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which she re-introduced in the Senate in F… Continue Reading
03.09.21
At HELP Hearing, Senator Murray Spotlights Voices On the Frontlines of COVID-19 Response, Stresses Importance of Vaccine Equity In Pandemic Response
Murray emphasized how investments in testing, vaccines, and health care in the American Rescue Plan will help to end the pandemic-but that more work lies ahead Murray made clear vaccine equity remains a pressing issue, and asked witnesses about how to make sure vaccines reach communities of color and people with disabilities Senator Murray: "The true cost of this pandemic so far is unthinkable, and it should be just as unthinkable that we would do anything short of everything when it co… Continue Reading
