Chair's Press
What They’re Saying: Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act
TICAS: "…would make college more affordable and accessible for millions of students and help drive an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic" Third Way: "…sends a clear message to low-income students and students of color that the federal government will continue to support and invest in their success." Association of Young Americans: "…momentous step forward for young Americans seeking to obtain a higher education degree without the fear of destabilizing debt… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Senator Murray Urges Action to Make Higher Education More Affordable and Accessible, As Colleges Work to Reopen this Fall
Senator Murray: "We have a lot of work to do to make sure every single student has the opportunity to achieve a higher education in a safe environment, free from debt." (Washington, D.C.) - Today, during a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing, Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) highlighted how the American Rescue Plan has provided key relief to higher education students and helped institutions re-open their doors safely. In her opening remarks, Senator Murray laid out the s… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Murray Urges Democrats to Follow Supreme Court Victory on Health Care With Bold Action
Supreme Court refused to strike down the Affordable Care Act entirely as Republicans urged, in a 7-2 ruling Murray: "This ruling is cause for celebration-but it must also be a call to further action, not an excuse for complacency." Senator Murray and Congressman Pallone have announced plans to develop legislation establishing a federal public option later this year Murray: "With this existential threat to the health coverage and protections so many people rely on finally put to rest,… Continue Reading
06.16.21
Senator Murray Applauds Biden Administration’s Move to Protect LGBTQIA+ Students from Discrimination
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement on the Department of Education's announcement that LGBTQIA+ students will be protected against discrimination under Title IX. The Department issued guidance stating that their enforcement of Title IX's longstanding prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex will include discrimination based on sexual orientation and … Continue Reading
06.16.21
Murray, Hirono, Pocan, Scott Introduce Bill to Double Pell Grant, Make College More Affordable
Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act permanently indexes Pell Grants to inflation, increasing their purchasing power WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Representatives Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.), chairman of the House Education & Labor Committee, reintroduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act, legislation that would… Continue Reading
06.16.21
HELP Committee Votes to Advance Health, Education, and Labor Nominees
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee advanced six nominations for the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education (ED) and Labor (DOL) with bipartisan votes. Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the HELP Committee, reiterated her strong support for the nominees, highlighting their experience and their commitment to fighting for students, workers, and patients across the country. "Families are counting on us to make sure the B… Continue Reading
06.10.21
Senator Murray Statement on DOL Announcing an OSHA Workplace Safety Standard for Health Care Workers
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor (DOL) announcing that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will issue a COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for health care workers and revised guidance for all workers at risk from COVID-19. "This announcement is an important step to protect workers who have fou… Continue Reading
06.10.21
Senator Murray Objects to Republican Attempt to Pass Legislation Forcing Workers without Paid Leave Into a False Choice
Senator Murray: "Now is no time for more false choices and stress for workers-it's a time to get real solutions over the finish line." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S REMARKS HERE*** (Washington, D.C.)-Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, objected to Senator Mike Lee's (R-UT) attempt to pass the misleadingly named Working Families Flexibility Act, which would fail to provide workers with comprehensive paid leave, inst… Continue Reading
06.10.21
HELP Committee Advances Bipartisan Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
Today, the HELP Committee advanced the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Reauthorization Act of 2021, by voice vote ICYMI: Murray, Burr Introduce Bipartisan Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee advanced the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Reauthorization of 2021-introduced by HELP Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC)-by voice vote.… Continue Reading
06.08.21
Senator Murray on Republicans Blocking the Paycheck Fairness Act: “A Total Disgrace”
(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 Senate Republicans voting to block consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act, common-sense legislation to help end to the wage gap, and ensure women are paid fairly for their work. Despite the fact that the Paycheck Fairness Act is co-sponsored by every Democrat in Congress, and has attained broad, bipartisan support from p… Continue Reading
06.08.21
HELP Chair Murray Urges Confirmation for Public Health Preparedness, Mental Health Nominees
At hearing, Senator Murray highlights the clear qualifications of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response nominee Dawn O'Connell and Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use nominee Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon Murray: "Given the critical work both ASPR and SAMHSA have ahead, we must make sure each agency has a strong, experienced leader." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S OPENING REMARKS HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of th… Continue Reading
06.08.21
Murray, Burr Introduce Bipartisan Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
Bipartisan bill will help keep children safe by more effectively preventing child abuse and neglect and ensuring our child protective services system can respond effectively to serious cases of abuse and neglect (Washington, D.C.) - Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Richard Burr, Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Reauthorization of 2021, a bipartisan bill to ke… Continue Reading
05.28.21
Senator Murray Supports Biden Proposal to Make Health Care Expansion in American Rescue Plan Permanent
Senator Murray: Making ARP health care tax credits permanent is a "simple, commonsense step we should take right away." (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 the White House's newly released budget, which would make permanent the health care tax credits Senate Murray worked to pass as part of the American Rescue Plan, which are already lowering health care costs… Continue Reading
05.28.21
Senator Murray Praises “Historic” Child Care Investment in Budget Proposal, Continues Push to Pass Child Care for Working Families Act
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS), released the following statement on the White House's newly released budget, which includes historic investments in child care. "I hear from working parents across Washington state and the country about the challenges they face when it… Continue Reading
05.27.21
What They’re Saying: The Keeping All Students Safe Act
National Center for Learning Disability: "The introduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act is essential to putting standards in place to ensure every child is educated in a safe and positive environment" National Disability Rights Network: "No child in America should have to attend a school where being locked in a room alone or suffocated while being restrained is part of a school's standard operating procedure." Autistic Self Advocacy Network: "Ending the use of restraint and seclu… Continue Reading
05.27.21
HELP Chair Murray Urges Confirmation for Labor Nominees
Senator Murray highlights clear qualifications of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy nominee Raj Nayak, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy nominee Taryn Mackenzie Williams, and OSHA nominee Doug Parker Senator Murray continues to push for an OSHA emergency temporary standard, to protect workers from COVID Murray: "We need committed, qualified leaders working with us at the Department of Labor … We need people like Mr. Nayak, Ms. Williams, and Mr. Parker… Continue Reading
05.26.21
Murray, Murphy, Beyer, Scott, Mceachin Reintroduce Legislation To Protect Students From Dangerous Seclusion And Restraint Practices
Washington, D.C.-Today, U.S. Senator, Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.), and Donald McEachin (D-Va.) reintroduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act, legislation to protect students from dangerous seclusion and restraint discipline practices in school. The Keeping All Students Safe Act would make it illegal for any scho… Continue Reading
05.26.21
Murray, Pallone Announce Plans to Develop a Public Option Proposal to Lower Health Care Costs
Senate HELP and House Energy and Commerce Committees Issue Request for Information on public option as they work to craft new legislation Poll shows 7 in 10 Americans support a public health insurance option-including a majority of Republicans Murray and Pallone: "A federal public option will help guarantee that no matter where you live, who you are, or what your income-if you live in America, you can get the quality health care you need without worrying about cost. " (Washington, D.… Continue Reading
05.25.21
HELP Committee Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bills to Address Maternal Mortality Crisis, Support Mental Health of Health Care Workers, And More
Senate HELP Committee voted unanimously to pass six bipartisan health and labor bills Maternal mortality bills will establish new grant programs, improve demographic data, and address inequities in maternal health care Committee also passed the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act to address the mental health needs of health care workers Murray: "I'll be working to get these bills across the finish line as soon as we can-but I know they are only a start when it comes t… Continue Reading
05.20.21
Secretary Walsh, Murray, Scott Stress Importance of Child Care Proposal in American Families Plan
The American Families Plan, modeled off of Chairman Scott and Senator Murray's Child Care for Working Families Act, would help working parents return to the workforce ICYMI: Senator Murray's op-ed in Ms. Magazine: "That Jobs Report Didn't Surprise Working Parents. It's Past Time to Make Child Care Affordable for Every Family" (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Congressman Robert C. "Bob… Continue Reading
