Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14 – Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today made the following statement after the Senate voted to approve the nomination of Dr. John King Jr. to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education: “We need an education secretary confirmed by and accountable to the United States Senate so...

Following a letter from 35 Senate Democrats, the Department proposed to provide a path to group debt relief, ban schools from forcing students to sign arbitration clauses, and improve the statute of limitations on claims   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and...

The Spokesman-Review SEATTLE (AP) – Sen. Patty Murray says eight health centers across Washington state will receive a total of $2.8 million in grants to help fight opioid abuse and addiction. Community Health Association of Spokane is among them, set to receive $325,000 through the program. The money is part of the Health Resources and...

At Murray’s urging, the U.S. Department of Education pledged to refund military borrowers who were denied their right to have student loan interest rates capped under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act   At LHHS hearing, Acting Secretary Dr. John King said refunds would come in “short order” and new reviews would be launched...

WASHINGTON, March 10 – U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said today the Senate’s passage of legislation to address heroin and prescription drug abuse is “an important step in addressing this fast-growing epidemic that is claiming the lives of more than 1,000 Tennesseans each year.” The legislation passed the Senate by...

Murray: “Now is not the time to get up and walk away from the table…Democrats and Republicans need to double down on their commitment to fighting this epidemic.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee,...

“I think we can produce the most important bill of the Congress this year because our work on this bill will affect virtually every American – and I look forward to doing it promptly.” Senator Alexander also delivered remarks on #Innovation2016 this afternoon on the Senate floor. Click HERE for full video of those...

Murray: We must reach an agreement on measures to strengthen consumer safety and protection and secure sustained investments in the NIH and the FDA   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered opening remarks at a HELP...

Murray: This is a critical moment for K-12 education as we transition from the broken No Child Left Behind law to the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to move forward with Dr. John King’s nomination to the position of...

“Last year, No Child Left Behind was the law everyone wanted fixed – this year, biomedical innovation is the opportunity everyone wants to take….Virtually every American could be helped by what we do.” WASHINGTON, D.C., March 9 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that...

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 9 – Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) made the following statement after the Senate education committee voted to approve the nomination of Dr. John King Jr. to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education: “The new bipartisan law fixing No Child Left Behind represents a dramatic change in direction for...

In New Letter, 35 Senate Democrats Press For Automatic Relief To Groups Of Students Who Have Been Victims Of Predatory Practices, Like Corinthian Colleges   “When Colleges Break The Rules, Student Loan Borrowers Should Not Be Left To Dig Themselves Out From Under A Mountain Of Debt They Cannot Repay”   (Washington, D.C.)...

The Kent Reporter A bipartisan group of U.S. Senate health committee members, including the chairman and ranking member, announced on Monday their plan to address the country’s mental health crisis and ensure Americans suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders receive the care they need. The bipartisan draft legislation...

By: Peter Sullivan  The Hill  Leaders of the Senate Health Committee released a bipartisan mental health bill late Monday evening that, while narrower than House legislation, seeks to jump start an effort that has been stalled there. “One in five adults in this country suffers from a mental illness, and nearly 60 percent...

Senators Murray and Alexander were honored at the 29th Annual National Council of La Raza Capital Awards for their bipartisan work to fix the broken No Child Left Behind law   In her acceptance remarks, Murray called for progress on higher education access, worker protections, immigration reform, and for the Supreme Court to uphold President...

Senate health committee members release staff discussion draft to help Americans suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders by ensuring mental health agency embraces innovation, gives states flexibility to meet need, and improves access to care   WASHINGTON, D.C., March 7 – A bipartisan group of Senate health...

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 7 – A bipartisan group of Senate health committee members, including the Chairman and Ranking Member, today announced their plan to address the country’s mental health crisis and ensure Americans suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders receive the care they need. The bipartisan draft...

Murray: “This is a step in the right direction…I will continue to hold the Department accountable for protecting military borrowers.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement after...

The senators’ letter follows an Inspector General report showing the Department of Education released statistically flawed information, papering over mistreatment of military borrowers   Years after errors surfaced, many servicemembers have not been refunded the money they were overcharged   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator...

HELP Committee Democrats Call On Republicans to Commit to Reliable Investments in Lifesaving Biomedical Science at NIH, FDA Fact Sheet Bill Text Washington, DC - United States Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today introduced the National Biomedical Research Act with all of their Democratic colleagues on the Health,...