Press Releases

WASHINGTON, November 1, 2017 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said today, as open enrollment begins, his bipartisan bill will help the hardworking Tennesseans who are “getting hammered” because they buy insurance in the individual health insurance market and don’t get a government subsidy to help them.  These...

Washington, D.C., Nov. 1 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced the support of more than 200 groups for their short-term bipartisan legislation to stabilize premiums and access to insurance in individual health insurance markets. Supporters of...

Murray on Senate floor: “Good news” is bipartisan bill with Chairman Alexander would tie Trump’s hand on sabotage & protect families from higher premiums   **FULL VIDEO OF MURRAY’S SPEECH ON SENATE FLOOR HERE**   Murray: “I would once again urge the Majority Leader to allow our legislation to get a...

  Top Senate, House Democrat re-introduce legislation—SAFE Act—to ensure women experiencing domestic violence can get help without fearing for their jobs, economic security   SAFE Act invests in national awareness campaign to encourage culture of prevention & support   NEW—SAFE Act would seek to examine...

Senate HELP Committee holds hearing on implementation of bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, electronic health information reforms   Murray: “A strong health IT infrastructure is critical to building a health care system that works for patients and families—and puts their needs first.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Senator...

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 31  – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) in a radio interview with A.B. Stoddard said that under his bipartisan legislation with Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and 22 Senate cosponsors, $3.1 billion will be rebated to taxpayers, with billions more in rebates to consumers. At the beginning...

WASHINGTON, October 31, 2017—Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that “electronic health records are a critical piece to the future of medical innovation and the success of the 21st Century Cures Act, and I intend to ensure these provisions are implemented properly.” “Last...

(Washington, D.C.) –Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on President Trump’s intention to nominate Scott Mugno as the Assistant Secretary of Labor of Occupational Safety and Health.   “Given President Trump’s...

Ahead Of An Anticipated Announcement By President Trump, Top Senators In Charge Of Health Nominations For Democrats Release List Of Priorities For Tom Price’s Replacement At The Department Of Health & Human Services   Murray & Wyden: “We Will Closely Scrutinize Any Potential Nominee To Ensure He Or She Is First And Foremost...

WASHINGTON, October 31, 2017—Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) in remarks on the Senate floor yesterday evening, said that hardworking Tennesseans—not insurance companies—are the ones hurt by congressional inaction on Obamacare’s cost-sharing reduction payments. “When the 18 million Americans...

(Washington, D.C.) –Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the Department of Labor’s decision to appeal a flawed decision by a Texas judge that ruled against the Obama Administration overtime rule. The updated overtime rule...

(Washington, D.C.) –Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on reports that Secretary DeVos is considering providing partial relief who were defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges, including Corinthian Colleges. Under the...

GATLINBURG, October 27, 2017 – Senate education Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said the Education Department’s announcement that it is withdrawing nearly 600 out-of-date pieces of sub-regulatory guidance that have been superseded by current law or are no longer in effect is “what most Americans think Washington D.C.,...

According to Draft Plan by HHS, Trump Admin Will Intensify Efforts Throughout 2018-2022 to Undermine Health Care for Women, LGBTQ Individuals, Racial & Ethnic Minorities, & Other Vulnerable Populations   In New Letter, Senate Dems Call On HHS to Bring Priorities to 21st Century; Uphold HHS Mission to “Enhance & Protect the...

(Washington, D.C.) – Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) today continued to urge Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to reverse course on any action to undermine rights for students of color and students with disabilities by rolling back protections issued by the Obama Administration to address disparities in special education and...

President Trump has asked for a bipartisan short-term solution to reduce health-insurance premiums and avoid chaos in the individual market so 18 million Americans won’t be hurt. Last week, 12 Republican and 12 Democratic U.S. senators proposed a solution. After eight years of ObamaCare speeches and votes but zero legislative victories, our...

Weeks after Hurricane disasters, Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands continue to lack safe, running water, electricity, fuel, & other critical public health needs   President Trump has threatened to withdraw resources amid criticism over federal government’s response   In new letter, Sens. seek answers from Acting Sec. Hargan...

  “[We] need this Administration to be a partner in fighting this epidemic and unfortunately today’s announcement is simply not enough”   (Washington, D.C.) – Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement today on President Trump’s opioid announcement:   “The opioid...

WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 26, 2017—Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement on President Trump’s remarks today on combatting the opioid crisis: “President Trump’s announcement today provides important leadership in helping states tackle the opioid crisis head on. Last year, 1,631...

In hearing, Senator Murray celebrated the First Amendment as the “cornerstone of our democracy,” while emphasizing need for colleges and universities to protect students and speak out against the rise of hate speech and violence on their campuses   College campuses around the country have noted increases in harassment of...