Press Releases

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2020 — The chairmen of the United States Senate’s top health committees today urged Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to confirm that the new law allows free tests for Americans who have had COVID-19 and are likely immune to the disease. A copy of the letter is available here. Senator...

  Senators: “The current lack of consistency surrounding the monitoring of symptoms, sanitation practices, personal protective equipment standards, and reporting and communication requirements must be addressed.”   (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH),...

  Murray urges Republicans to join in pushing for serious accountability for the Administration’s COVID-19 response follow President Trump’s efforts to undermine oversight from government watchdogs   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health,...

Senate Democrats’ Proposed “Heroes Fund,” Introduced By Sens. Schumer, Murray, Brown, Casey, Udall, And Peters, Would Provide Premium Pay To Reward, Retain, And Recruit Essential Frontline Workers   Proposed COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” Consists Of Two Major Components—A $25,000 Premium Pay Increase For Essential...

Report includes an overview of how maternal mortality is tracked, trends in mortality data, and how states are using federal funding to reduce deaths   Findings demonstrate the need for continued efforts to reduce maternal mortality and address racial, ethnic, and age-related disparities   While the maternal mortality ratio decreased...

Senator Murray urges Department of Labor to use new authority, extend deadlines for plan administrators and record keepers due to challenges of COVID-19   Recently-passed COVID-19 response bill gave Labor Department authority to extend filing deadlines under ERISA   Murray: “This simple step would help plan administrators...

The bipartisan, bicameral Families First Coronavirus Response Act—which was signed into law by President Trump—includes historic provisions providing paid sick and family leave   The Department of Labor has released guidance for employees and employers that significantly reduces the number of workers who are eligible for paid...

WASHINGTON – Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), and Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a joint statement today condemning President...

(Washington, D.C.) –  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged Secretary DeVos not to release the final Title IX rule while K-12 schools and institutions of higher education...

(Washington, D.C.) – House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a joint statement today calling for...

Senator Murray urges colleagues to include multiemployer pension crisis fix in ongoing COVID-19 response efforts   As pandemic throws families into economic uncertainty, Murray stressed the need to avoid additional crises for workers and retirees   Murray: “Through no fault of their own, millions of workers and retirees are at risk...

MARYVILLE, Tenn., March 27, 2020 — United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said legislation the president signed into law today provides “sweeping relief to keep paychecks coming for workers, to relieve financial burdens for Americans hurt by COVID-19, and especially, to contain the disease.” Alexander voted for and...

Murray, Wyden, Peters, Brown, Cortez Masto, Rosen write to Vice President Pence demanding answers on the Trump Administration’s lack of timely action and transparency regarding steps taken to stabilize the medical supply chain despite months of warning   Rather than provide leadership and assistance, President Trump has told governors to...

Senator Murray responds to new University of Washington report forecasting current trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic in U.S.   Murray: “People in my state and across the country have made incredible personal sacrifices to help slow the spread of this disease—now is not the time to retreat and let those efforts go to...

(Washington, D.C.) –  U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), successfully blocked Republican efforts to give Secretary DeVos a blank check to waive students’ civil rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Republican...

Senator Murray secures steps in bipartisan Senate bill to increase people’s flexibility to manage their retirement resources to navigate COVID-19 crisis   Bill waives penalty for people forced to withdraw retirement savings early   Bill allows people who would otherwise be forced by age requirements to start drawing from their...

“The government has temporarily shut down the economy because of this disease, and the government must help those who are hurt by it.” – Senator Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, March 25, 2020 — United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said legislation he voted for and the Senate passed today by a vote of...

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2020 — Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act will help keep Americans healthy, keep paychecks coming for workers, and help relieve financial burdens for Americans hurt by...

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2020 — "This is no time to be running a political campaign," U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said today on the Senate floor as Democrats block legislation that will generate trillions in economic support to help keep employees on payrolls and to relieve Tennesseans’ – and all Americans' –...

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2020 — "This is about your paycheck," Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said today in describing a collection of Republican and Democrat senators' ideas that he said will generate trillions in economic support to help keep employees on payrolls and to relieve Americans' financial burden while containing COVID-19. He...