Chair's Press
Senate Passes Alexander, Murray Bill to Fix No Child Left Behind
Bipartisan bill to fix K-12 education law that expired seven years ago passes Senate by a vote of 81 to 17 WASHINGTON, D.C., July 16 - The Senate today passed by a vote of 81 to 17 the Every Child Achieves Act, the bipartisan agreement by Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to fix the No Child Left Behind law, which is seven years overdue. Alexander said: "Last week, Newsweek Magazine called this the 'law that everyone wa… Continue Reading
07.16.15
Murray Report: Women Face Systemic Barriers that Contribute to Large Gender Retirement Gap
In the report, Murray outlines several policy solutions that would help women better prepare for retirement Murray: "The retirement crisis is especially acute for women" (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a new report detailing the unique challenges women face in accessing a secure retirement. The report details how women often struggle with financial hardship in retirement… Continue Reading
07.16.15
Murray, Wicker Introduce New Legislation to Establish Physical Activity Recommendations
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act, legislation that would establish physical activity recommendations for children and adults. The bipartisan legislation would call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue physical activity recommendations based on the latest scientific and medical evidence every ten years. The bill also directs HHS, five years after the release o… Continue Reading
07.16.15
Murray: Inequality in School Resources Holds Students Back
(Washington, D.C.) - Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) submitted remarks for the record in support of a bipartisan amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act that would address inequalities in educational resources. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 46-50. "While I am disappointed that this important amendment to address inequality in school districts and states across the country did not pass in the Senate, I am pleased by th… Continue Reading
07.16.15
Murray, Wicker Introduce New Legislation to Establish Physical Activity Recommendations
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act, legislation that would establish physical activity recommendations for children and adults. The bipartisan legislation would call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue physical activity recommendations based on the latest scientific and medical evidence every ten years. The bill also directs HHS, five years after the release o… Continue Reading
07.15.15
Murray Calls for Strengthening Accountability to Ensure All Students Receive a Quality Education
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor supporting an amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act to strengthen accountability measures. Murray noted that the amendment from Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) would identify persistent inequality and achievement gaps that continue to exist i… Continue Reading
07.14.15
Murray: LGBT Students Deserve Protections from Bullying and Harassment
Senate Republicans defeat amendment to protect LGBT students Murray: "As we debate our nation's K through 12 education bill, we need to do everything we can to prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination" (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor supporting an amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act that would protect LGBT students from bullying, harassment, an… Continue Reading
07.14.15
Murray Urges Support for Increased Investments in Early Learning Programs
Murray: "If we are serious about closing education gaps in grades K through 12, and if we are truly committed to making sure all students have the chance to succeed, we must invest in quality early childhood education." (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor supporting an amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act that would expand access to early learning programs. In … Continue Reading
07.10.15
HOBBY LOBBY: Murray Statement on Administration’s Rule Regarding Religious Accommodations for Closely-Held Corporations
(Washington, D.C.) - Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the administration's definition of a closely-held corporation following the Supreme Court decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. "Today's announcement allows a wide range of businesses power over the health care decisions of the women they employ, and shows once again why the Supreme Court's deeply harm… Continue Reading
07.10.15
Murray Statement on House Passage of 21st Century Cures Act
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), released the following statement on the House of Representatives passing the 21st Century Cures Act. "I'm pleased that the House has taken a bipartisan step forward by passing the 21st Century Cures Act as work continues in the Senate on efforts to advance biomedical innovation for patients and families. I believe strongly that our federal laws and resources should supp… Continue Reading
07.08.15
Murray Amendment to Address Inequality in School Sports Passes Senate
Murray: "…so many girls across the country have spent this week dreaming of, one day, being one of those women champions they saw on television last weekend. Let's make sure they know Congress has their back" (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), offered an amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act, the bipartisan bill she worked on with Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to fix the broken No Child Left… Continue Reading
07.08.15
Murray: “Vouchers Undermine the Basic Goals of Public Education”
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor, opposing efforts to amend the Every Child Achieves Act to use federal education funds for private school vouchers. In her speech, Murray highlighted that as Congress works to fix the broken No Child Left Behind Law, voucherizing the public school system would represent a major step backward, because it would send critical public reso… Continue Reading
07.08.15
Murray Statement on House Passage of Partisan No Child Left Behind Rewrite
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the House passage of partisan legislation to rewrite the No Child Left Behind law. Murray called on House Republicans to work with Democrats rather than taking a partisan approach, especially as the Senate considers the Every Child Achieves Act, the bipartisan legislation she worked on with HELP Committee Chairman L… Continue Reading
07.07.15
EVERY CHILD ACHIEVES ACT: Murray Calls for Continued Bipartisan Work to Fix No Child Left Behind
Murray delivers opening remarks as full Senate begins debate on bipartisan legislation to fix No Child Left Behind Murray: "This work is a chance to recommit ourselves to the promise of a quality education for every child. And it is an opportunity to finally fix the current law, No Child Left Behind" "As I have traveled around Washington state over the past decade, I have heard from so many of my constituents - from teachers in the classroom, to moms in the grocery store, to tech company… Continue Reading
07.02.15
Murray Calls on Washington State Hospitals to Strengthen Support, Improve Resources for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Murray: "I believe strongly that our state can and must do more to support survivors of sexual assault" (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee sent a letter to the Washington State Hospital Association expressing her concern that hospitals in Washington state may be failing to provide critical support to survivors of sexual assault. Recent reports indicate that some Washington state ho… Continue Reading
06.30.15
HOBBY LOBBY: Murray Statement on Anniversary of Supreme Court Decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. "The Supreme Court has helped move our country forward in many ways over the past week. But we can't forget that one year ago today, five male justices told women that their health care decisions and benefits are thei… Continue Reading
06.30.15
Murray: Updating Overtime Protections Will Help Reward Hard Work With Fair Pay
Murray calls updating overtime protections "a matter of fairness" (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced proposed rules to restore overtime protections for millions of Americans. Murray noted that for too long, corporations have exploited outdated overtime rules and these new protections will help restore economi… Continue Reading
06.25.15
KING V. BURWELL: Murray: Supreme Court Decision an Important Step Forward for Families
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Affordable Care Act tax credits for families nationwide. "Today's Supreme Court ruling is an important step forward for families in Washington state and across the country, because it affirms what Congress intended when we fought to get the Affordable Care Act passed-that… Continue Reading
06.19.15
Murray Calls on Washington State Insurers to Increase Access, Transparency on Affordable Care Act Services that Help Tobacco Users Quit
(Washington, D.C.) - Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) sent letters to seven Washington state health insurers offering qualified health plans in the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder, expressing concern over a lack of transparency and clarity in the availability of treatments that can help tobacco users quit. Murray noted that given the severe public health risks it is critical that tobacco users ha… Continue Reading
06.18.15
Murray, Democrats Highlight the Benefits of Prevention Programs for Women and Families
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) led a letter with 11 Senate Democrats explaining the ways investments in health and wellness made through the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) have improved the health of women and families. The Senators highlighted how investing in women and families supports economic growth and helps further contribute to healthier and stronger communities. The Prevention Fu… Continue Reading
