Chair's Press
Congressional Democrats Urge SCOTUS to Protect Reproductive Rights by Upholding Roe and Rejecting Mississippi’s Blatantly Unconstitutional Law
48 Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House file a bicameral amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (Washington, D.C.) - Today, 48 Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House filed a bicameral amicus brief in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, urging the Supreme Court to uphold nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to abortion care. The amicus brief was led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D… Continue Reading
09.20.21
Congressional Democrats Urge SCOTUS to Protect Reproductive Rights by Upholding Roe and Rejecting Mississippi’s Blatantly Unconstitutional Law
48 Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House file a bicameral amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (Washington, D.C.) - Today, 48 Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House filed a bicameral amicus brief in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, urging the Supreme Court to uphold nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to abortion care. The amicus brief was led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D… Continue Reading
09.14.21
Senate Confirms James Kvaal to Serve as Under Secretary of Education
Senate votes to confirm James Kvaal by a bipartisan vote of 58-37. Senator Murray: "Students across the country deserve leaders who are committed to addressing these urgent problems-and who will work to always put students and borrowers first. I believe James Kvaal is exactly that kind of leader." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S FLOOR REMARKS HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Senate voted to confirm James Kvaal to serve as Under Secretary of the Department of Education (ED) by a bipa… Continue Reading
09.01.21
Senator Murray Statement on the Texas Abortion Ban Going into Effect
(Washington, DC) - This morning, Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement on the Supreme Court declining to block Texas' SB8, the most extreme and harsh abortion ban in the United States. Under the law, patients cannot get an abortion after six weeks-before many patients even realize they are pregnant. The law allows anyone-including anti-abortion activists who have no connection to the patie… Continue Reading
08.30.21
Senator Murray Applauds Creation of HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity
Murray: "It is painfully clear climate action, public health, and equity, are each urgent crises and all are inextricably linked. The creation of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity at HHS shows the Biden Administration understands that important reality." (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, relea… Continue Reading
08.05.21
Senator Murray Speaks to Representatives of 500+ Small Business Owners Urging Congress to Pass Paid Leave
***WATCH THE ROUNDTABLE HERE*** (Washington, DC) - This afternoon, Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), spoke with small business owners representing over 530 small business owners nationwide who have called on Congress to prioritize the urgent call for a comprehensive federal paid family and medical leave program. In letters to congressional leaders, 536 small business owners from the Paid Leave for the U.S. (PL+US) … Continue Reading
08.05.21
Senator Murray Statement on the Passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
(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 passing of Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO: "I'm so deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my great friend, Richard Trumka. I have worked with Rich for years, and for years he has led the charge in creating a country that treats all workers with the dignity and respect they deserve. To say Rich was a champi… Continue Reading
08.03.21
Senate HELP Committee Advances Bipartisan Bills to Improve Suicide Prevention, Protect Pregnant Workers, and Support People with Disabilities
HELP Committee advances four bipartisan bills including the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the STANDUP Act of 2021, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021, and the Assistive Technology Act HELP Committee votes 11-11 on nominations of David Weil to DOL and Catherine Lhamon to ED, both now await a full Senate vote on a motion to discharge their nominations HELP Committee advances the nomination of Javier Ramirez to be the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation … Continue Reading
07.28.21
Senate Confirms Gwynne Wilcox and David Prouty to the NLRB
Senate confirms Gwynne Wilcox by a vote of 52-47 Senate confirms David Prouty by a vote of 53-46 Senator Murray: "It's clear to me that we need David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox on the NLRB to reverse the damage done by years of anti-worker attacks, and to get us back on the right track, building back an economy that works for everyone-not just huge corporations and those on top." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S OPENING REMARKS HERE*** (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, the Senate voted to confi… Continue Reading
07.28.21
ICYMI: Murray: We Need to Make the Strongest Investment We Can In Public Health Right Now—And Then Keep Pushing
In case you missed it: Earlier this week, Senator Murray, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, wrote about how the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to make bold investments in public health-now and in the long term. The new post on Medium also cites polling from Data for Progress released this week, showing 70 percent of Americans consistently support investing $30 billion in a range of public health and preparedness efforts. You can read Senator Murr… Continue Reading
07.27.21
Murray Continues Pushing for Bold Investments and Improvements in Public Health and Preparedness at Hearing on COVID-19 Lessons Learned
Senator Murray: "We have to end the cycle of crisis and complacency in public health that led us here." Senator Murray: "Before this pandemic struck, public health departments across the country were woefully understaffed and underfunded, and our nation was unprepared." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S OPENING REMARKS HERE*** (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a hearing focused on les… Continue Reading
07.23.21
Murray on 12-Year Anniversary Since Last Minimum Wage Increase: “Workers Deserve Better, and Congress Must Deliver”
July 24th marks the 12-year anniversary of the last increase to the federal minimum wage, which has remained stagnant at $7.25 an hour since 2009 (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement ahead of tomorrow's 12-year anniversary of the last time the federal minimum wage was raised. The federal minimum wage is currently only $7.25 an hour or $2.13 an hour for tipped worker… Continue Reading
07.22.21
Murray and Underwood Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Women’s Retirement Security
4 in 10 women expect the COVID-19 pandemic to have a long-term impact on their finances The average woman loses over $400,000 over a forty-year career due to the wage gap, and some women of color lose over $1,000,000 due to pay inequality by retirement Women's Retirement Protection Act would expand eligibility for employer-sponsored retirement plans to even more part-time workers-most of whom are women Legislation expands spousal protections to prevent one spouse from undermining a c… Continue Reading
07.22.21
At Hearing, Murray Urges Action to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
Senator Murray: "While our ways of working and our workforce may have changed, the need for workers to be able to join together and have a voice in their wages and working conditions-without fear-remains as important as ever." (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a hearing on protecting workers' right to organize and pushed to pass the PRO Act, comprehensive legislation to empower worker… Continue Reading
07.22.21
Casey, Murray, Klobuchar, Wyden Release Report on Challenges Voters with Disabilities Face in Early Voting, Push for Federal Action
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the challenges that voters with disabilities continue to face in voting early and voting by mail. The… Continue Reading
07.21.21
HELP Committee Advances Bill to Support Families Experiencing Domestic Violence; Advances Nominees
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, at a mark-up, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, advanced the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021 by voice vote. Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) highlighted how this bill, which was led by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), makes improvements to FVPSA that will help support families and children experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence which has increased du… Continue Reading
07.21.21
Senate Confirms Jennifer Abruzzo as NLRB General Counsel
Senate votes to confirm Jennifer Abruzzo by a vote of 51-50 Senator Murray: "Jennifer Abruzzo is the type of dedicated public servant who will make sure the NLRB is enforcing the law and protecting the rights of workers, and I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting to discharge her nomination and confirm her as General Counsel of the NLRB." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S OPENING REMARKS HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Senate voted to confirm Jennifer Abruzzo to serve as Gene… Continue Reading
07.20.21
Murray: Fight Against COVID-19 at “Point of Great Promise and Peril”
Murray discussed progress made so far, the recent uptick in nationwide COVID cases, and stressed urgent need for action against future public health crises Senator Murray: "Even after we are through this crisis, our work won't be done. We have to make sure we learn from this history, and take action so we never repeat it." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S OPENING REMARKS HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensio… Continue Reading
07.15.21
Murray Urges Confirmation for Labor and NLRB Nominees David Weil, Gwynne Wilcox, and David Prouty
Senator Murray: "Confirming these highly qualified nominees is an important step to reversing the damage of the last four years, rebuilding our country stronger and fairer, and making our economy truly work for workers and their families." (Washington, D.C.) - Today, during a hearing, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, urged her colleagues to support the nominations of David Weil to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour … Continue Reading
07.14.21
Senate Confirms Jocelyn Samuels to the EEOC and Seema Nanda as DOL Solicitor
Senate votes to confirm Jocelyn Samuels by a vote of 52-47 Senate votes to confirm Seema Nanda by a vote of 53-46 Senator Murray: "Workers are the backbone of our economy. That means, every one of us should be fighting for them, and voting to confirm Commissioner Samuels and Ms. Nanda who will fight for them as well." ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S FULL REMARKS HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Senate confirmed the nominations of Jocelyn Samuels to serve as Commissioner of the… Continue Reading
