Press Releases

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 today said the Education Department’s announcement that it is withdrawing nearly 600 out-of-date pieces of sub-regulatory guidance that have been superseded by current law or are no longer in effect is “what most Americans think Washington D.C.,...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...

“Rep. Bridenstine’s Denial of Climate Science & Consistent Opposition to Equal Rights for Women, Immigrants, and LGBTQ Individuals Should Disqualify Him From Consideration”   (Washington, D.C.) – In a letter today to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Assistant Democratic Leader Patty...

WASHINGTON, October 26, 2017 — Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said “universities should be the place where people of different views may speak, audiences can listen, and many contrasting viewpoints are encouraged.” “There is a long history of shouting down speakers with whom students...

  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on today’s court ruling rejecting a temporary stay that would have required the Trump Administration to resume out-of-pocket cost reduction...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2017 — United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today, in remarks on the Senate floor, announced the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office finds his bipartisan stabilization bill with Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will benefit taxpayers and consumers—not insurance...

HHS Inspector General Report Requested by Sens. Murray, Warren after Administration Officials Pulled ACA Enrollment Outreach Ads   Washington, DC – United States Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) today released a report written by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General (IG) that details results...

“On net, CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that implementing the legislation would reduce the deficit by $3.8 billion over the 2018-2027 period relative to CBO’s baseline. …   “CBO and JCT expect that insurers in almost all areas of the country would be required to issue some form of...

WASHINGTON, October 25, 2017—Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today released the following statement on the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) report on the Bipartisan Health Care Stabilization Act of 2017: “This nonpartisan analysis shows that our bill provides...

Incidents of harassment, intimidation have increased in K-12 schools, as well as colleges & universities since the election, raising questions about whether all students truly have equal access to education in a safe & supportive environment   In new letter, Murray, Senators call on Trump Administration to protect students’ civil...