Ranking Member's Press
Murray On Latest Ruling In Epstein Case: “I’m Going To Keep Pushing For Answers, Transparency, And Accountability In This Case Because We Need To Make Sure Nothing Like This Happens Again”
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 after a court ruled that federal prosecutors in the case against serial child abuser Jeffrey Epstein broke the law by hiding information about his plea deal from survivors of his abuse. "It is deeply wrong that survivors of the horrific abuse Jeffrey Epstein committed were denied information about the plea deal 'of a lifet… Continue Reading
02.22.19
Murray: Trump-Pence Women’s Health Gag Rule “Meant To Do One Thing And One Thing Only: Further Erode Women’s Constitutionally Protected Rights”
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump-Pence Administration's rule making it illegal for health care providers at clinics that receive Title X family planning program funds to refer patients for abortions. "This gag rule is meant to do one thing and one thing only: further undermine a woman's constitutionally protected right to safe, legal a… Continue Reading
02.22.19
Murray, Senate Democrats Press Labor Department for Answers on Unauthorized Apprenticeship Program
11 Senate Democrats urge Department to explain how new apprenticeship program is within the bounds of the law Last week, Department of Labor cancelled an announcement of new apprenticeship funds; reports suggest turmoil surrounding Trump Administration apprenticeship initiative Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and 10 Senate Democrats sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Alexander Aco… Continue Reading
02.20.19
Democratic Health Leaders Rip Trump Administration’s Proposed Health Insurance Market Rules for Making Care More Expensive, Less Accessible
Democratic health leaders: "If implemented, the policies in the proposed rule would result in thousands of people losing coverage, millions of dollars in premium increases, higher out-of-pocket costs even for those with employer coverage, and even tighter restrictions on women's access to coverage for reproductive health services than the administration previously proposed." Democratic health leaders: "It is long past time for this administration to respond to rising health care costs with s… Continue Reading
02.15.19
Democrats Object to “Unconventional and Nontransparent” Review Process for Rule to Undermine Family Planning
Sens. Murray, Harris, and Hassan, and Rep. Cummings question the Trump Administration's review of a rule that would restrict women's access to care and institute a domestic gag rule on health care providers. Washington, D.C.-Today, Senator Patty Murray, the Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Maggie Hassan, and Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, sent a letter to… Continue Reading
02.14.19
Murray: Democrats Stand With Doctors, Nurses, Women Against Latest GOP Show Vote Attacking Women’s Rights And Health Care
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on Senator McConnell's announcement of a show vote on anti-abortion legislation leading medical organizations have vocally opposed. "This bill is unnecessary, harmful, and would put Vice President Pence and Republicans in Congress right where they don't belong: in between a woman and her health care provider as she is makin… Continue Reading
02.14.19
Murray Statement on Independent Watchdog Report Finding Failures In Department of Education’s Management of Federal Student Loan Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on report released by the Department of Education's independent watchdog, the Office of Inspector General, which found internal failures at the Department to appropriately oversee student loan servicers that receive federal contracts. The report discloses "noncompliance" by all nine federal servicers, and sometimes repeated no… Continue Reading
02.13.19
Murray, Scott Request Oversight of Cybersecurity in the Retirement System
Senator Murray and Congressman Scott ask Government Accountability Office to examine cybersecurity of the private retirement system Members call for oversight of policies to protect plan participants, and their personal data, from cyberthreats As of 2017 over $5 trillion dollars are held in defined contribution plans like 401(k)s Members: "It is important that workers and retirees know their savings are in fact safe, and that a cyberattack will not throw the retirement they have spen… Continue Reading
02.12.19
Murray Emphasizes Importance of Addressing the Needs of People Managing Pain During Continued Opioid Response Efforts
At HELP hearing, Senator Murray highlights the need to make sure patients living with pain can access the treatments they need 20 million people suffer from persistent chronic pain that interferes with their work and daily activities Murray: "We have to find responsible, comprehensive solutions for pain management that ensure opioids are marketed, prescribed, and used responsibly but, at the same time, are within reach for people dealing with chronic pain." Murray: "Pain isn't one-… Continue Reading
02.08.19
Murray, Alexander Press Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Continue to Address Vaccine Hesitancy Amid Measles Outbreaks in Under-Vaccinated Areas Across the Country
Senators Murray and Alexander send bipartisan letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health asking about efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence as multiple states face outbreaks of measles Already this year, 79 measles cases have been confirmed, following 372 measles cases in 2018 Senators: "While vaccination rates in the U.S. continue to be generally high, pockets of unvaccinated people and decreasing… Continue Reading
02.07.19
Sen. Murray Statement On Announcement of Investigation Into Epstein Case By DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray issued the following statement on the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcement that its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has opened an investigation into the DOJ's prosecution of serial child rapist Jeffrey Epstein. "As I've made clear, it's crucial that we understand fully whether DOJ policies were followed with respect to Jeffrey Epstein, and if they were, why there are policies in place that allowed a wealthy, well-connected m… Continue Reading
02.07.19
Murray, Murkowski to Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve and Expand Health Care Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act helps develop national standards of care for survivors of sexual assault and tackle barriers they face when seeking care 2016 GAO report requested by Senator Murray found major barriers for survivors seeking care after sexual assault SASCA introduced in Senate with more cosponsors than ever before Congresswoman Jayapal and Congressman King to reintroduce corresponding legislation in the House Murray: "When a survivor of sexual assault go… Continue Reading
02.05.19
Murray Stresses Helping Families Get Primary Care As Key Part of Tackling Health Costs
At HELP hearing, Senator Murray highlights innovative primary care approaches in Washington state driving down health costs and improving outcomes Murray emphasized the importance of addressing barriers to primary care access like cost, distance, and language Murray: "While primary care providers can play a critical role in coordinating care and reducing costs, they can only play that role when people have access to care. In fact… lack of access can actually drive costs higher. … Continue Reading
02.05.19
Murray, HELP Committee Democrats Call On Pharmaceutical Companies to Explain Skyrocketing Insulin Prices
Murray leads HELP Committee Democrats in writing to pharmaceutical companies demanding explanation of rising insulin prices Diabetes costs have risen 26 percent since 2012, making it the most costly chronic condition in the country One-in-four diabetes patients have reported rationing medication because of cost House Energy and Commerce Committee has also requested companies explain skyrocketing insulin costs Senators: "It is clear that these steep price increases are resulting i… Continue Reading
02.01.19
Senate, House Dems Demand Answers from Secretary DeVos Following Move to Replace Education Department’s Independent Watchdog with Top Department Official
Senator Murray, Chairman Scott, and Chair DeLauro Warn DeVos' New Acting Inspector General Could Block Investigations into Education Department Actions WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Chair of the Committee on Education and Labor, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and… Continue Reading
01.31.19
Murray, Senate Democrats Urge DeVos to Listen to Students and Survivors of Sexual Assault, Start Over on Title IX Rule
In comment letter to Secretary DeVos, 36 Senate Democrats urged Secretary DeVos to withdraw her Title IX proposal, listen to survivors, and write a rule that will build on progress made to keep students safe from sexual assault and harassment Sexual assault and harassment are widespread epidemics in classrooms, schools, and on college campuses across the country DeVos' rule would weaken student protections and allow schools to shirk their responsibility to keep students safe Senate D… Continue Reading
01.30.19
Murray, DeLauro Reintroduce Paycheck Fairness Act to Close Gender Wage Gap
Paycheck Fairness Act would strengthen and close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and ensure women are paid what they deserve Bill introduction comes 10 years after President Obama passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, marking an important step in the fight to end the gender wage gap Paycheck Fairness Act was cosponsored by 45 Senators and every Democratic Member of the House of Representatives Washington, D.C. - Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Heal… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Murray Calls for Long-Term Funding for Critical Primary Care Programs That Serve Communities Nationwide
At HELP hearing, Murray emphasizes impact of funding uncertainty last year on community health centers and the families they serve, touts bipartisan bill to provide stable funding for years to come Community health centers help 27 million patients a year find care close to home Teaching health centers and the National Health Service Corps help support centers and bring medical professionals to practice in underserved areas Murray: "This time last year… community health center… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Murray Demands Information From Johnson & Johnson Following Reports of Cover Up of Potential Asbestos in Baby Powder
Murray demands answers from Johnson & Johnson CEO following Reuters report indicating the company covered up potential asbestos in its baby powder for decades Murray: "I am troubled by recent reports of an alleged decades-long effort by Johnson & Johnson to potentially mislead regulators and consumers about the safety of one of its products, which may have resulted in long-term harm for men, women, and children who used Johnson & Johnson baby powder." Washington, D.C. - Yeste… Continue Reading
01.17.19
Murray Criticizes Trump Administration for Proposing New Rules to Sabotage Health Care Amid Government Shutdown
Proposed changes would amount to a health care tax on families across the country Nonpartisan analysis found the change would lead to higher premiums and less coverage for families across the country Murray: "Even 27 days into the shutdown he caused, President Trump has somehow found time to further sabotage health care for patients, families, and women." Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Com… Continue Reading
