Ranking Member's Press
Democrats Outline Objections to Health Dept. Rule Encouraging Discrimination Against Patients
Murray and Democrats submit comment letter detailing strong objections to health department rule allowing providers to refuse patients care Democrats call on Secretary Azar to withdraw proposed rule "in its entirety" WASHINGTON, D.C. - Led by Senator Murray, 18 Democrats today submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on a new proposed rule that could expand providers' grounds for refusing patients care on the basis of the provider's personal beliefs, a mov… Continue Reading
03.22.18
Murray Not Giving Up on Health Care Stabilization: “I Hope We Can Get Back to the Table and Resume Talks”
McConnell blocked previous bipartisan health care bill from coming to a vote-despite wide support on both sides of the aisle-and held votes on repeal legislation and partisan GOP tax bill instead Earlier this week, Republicans announced a new partisan health care bill, without giving Democrats in negotiations any notice Republican health care package takes huge steps beyond current law to block women from even being able to buy abortion coverage with their own money Murray introduces… Continue Reading
03.21.18
Murray and Worker Advocates Applaud Tip Rule Agreement, Murray: Deal “Comes As a Sigh of Relief” For Workers
After workers around the country organized and made their voices heard, Murray worked with Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta on an agreement to ensure corporations cannot steal workers' tips Deal is included in Omnibus spending agreement, and is supported by worker groups Murray: "When President Trump proposed a rule that would have allowed corporations to pocket workers' tips for themselves, workers across the country organized and made their voices heard" Washington, D.C. - U.S.… Continue Reading
03.21.18
Senator Murray to Keep Pushing HHS for Gun Violence Research Following Bipartisan Affirmation of Department’s Role
New language affirms HHS authority to research gun violence Senator Murray has sent a letter to Secretary Azar for details on his stated plan to prioritize gun violence research (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on language in the omnibus which affirmed the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct research on the pub… Continue Reading
03.21.18
Murray on GOP Leaders’ Latest Rejection of Bipartisan Work to Lower Patients’ Costs in Favor of Partisan Politics
Murray will keep working to get Republicans back to the table; push for policies that lower costs for families Murray: "It's unfortunate that Senator McConnell and Speaker Ryan have time and time again rejected bipartisan work on health care in favor of partisan health care politics, and chosen politically-driven show votes over getting a result for families" WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (… Continue Reading
03.20.18
Senator Murray Urges President Trump to Rethink Controversial Candidate for CDC Director
President Trump considering Dr. Robert Redfield, an HIV/AIDS researcher with questionable public health experience, for CDC director Dr. Redfield has a history advocating controversial practices-like mandatory HIV testing-that go against scientific consensus and raise serious concerns about patient privacy and discrimination An Army investigation criticized Dr. Redfield for inappropriately handling data while pushing an unsuccessful AIDS vaccine Murray led HELP Committee Democrats in… Continue Reading
03.15.18
Senator Murray Pushes FDA for Strong Rulemaking Process to Lower Nicotine Levels
Food and Drug Administration put out a formal request for input on a proposed regulation to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement in response to the Food and Drug Administration's advanced notice of proposed rulemaking examining a product standard to reduce the amount of nicotine permitted in cigarettes and make them le… Continue Reading
03.15.18
Senator Murray: Trump’s Backward Steps on 340B “Not Going to Get the Job Done” on Lowering Drug Prices
At HELP hearing on 340B, Murray calls out Trump Administration's steps to undermine program that makes drugs more affordable President Trump's CMS has slashed payments to safety net hospitals participating in a program that helps make drugs more affordable President Trump has delayed HRSA rule to prevent drug companies from overcharging safety net providers Senator Murray shared stories from several Washington state institutions about how they use 340B to serve vulnerable communities… Continue Reading
03.14.18
Senator Murray and Democrats Call on Secretary Azar to Fire Scott Lloyd Over Ideological Interference with Young Women’s Health Decisions
Senator Murray and Senate Democrats called on Secretary Azar to fire Scott Lloyd as Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement amid ongoing concerns about his ideological decisions to interfere with women's reproductive freedoms As Director, Lloyd has implemented a self-professed "ad hoc" process for impeding young women's health care decisions Senator Murray has repeatedly criticized Director Lloyd's interference with women's reproductive freedoms and previously called on him to res… Continue Reading
03.09.18
Murray Statement on DeVos Attempts to Invalidate State Laws Protecting Students from Predatory Student Debt Corporations
By trying to invalidate state laws that provide critical protections for students, Secretary DeVos is making it easier for predatory corporations to take advantage of students already drowning in debt DeVos' move attempts to invalidate a recently passed Washington state bill aimed at protecting students and helping them pay back student loans Murray: "Secretary DeVos' latest move to invalidate students' protections at the state level is concerning and telling" Washington, D.C. - U.S… Continue Reading
03.08.18
Senator Murray Emphasizes Need for Federal Government to Support State Innovation to Address Opioid Crisis
In sixth HELP Committee hearing on opioid crisis, Senator Murray emphasizes the need for federal support of state innovation Senator Murray: "… while this a national problem, empowering local officials with the tools they need is one of the most important solutions." Senator Murray highlighted innovative LEAD program in Washington State Hearing featured Governors Kate Brown (D-OR) and Larry Hogan (R-MD) who spoke about their states' efforts to respond to the opioid epidemic … Continue Reading
03.06.18
Report Shows Urgent Challenges for Next Generation’s Retirement Security
New report on 21-32 year-olds finds only one in twenty are saving enough for retirement-most have no retirement savings Most who can participate in employer-sponsored plans do, but access and eligibility are common hurdles Retirement challenges facing people of color are even greater (Washington, D.C.) -Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) … Continue Reading
03.05.18
Murray Statement on Department of Education’s Independent Watchdog Recommendations to Strengthen Accountability in Higher Education
Department of Education's Inspector General sent a letter to Congress recommending strengthening accountability measures in HEA reauthorization IG warned loosening accountability without a proven substitute would increase risks to students and borrowers, and could raise costs and increase defaults Murray: "I look forward to working to strengthen accountability for colleges and programs as we work to update our nation's higher education law" Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murra… Continue Reading
03.01.18
At Hearing, Murray Questions National Labor Relations Board Nominee’s Willingness to Stand Up for Workers
Senate HELP Committee held hearing on President Trump's nominee for National Labor Relations Board, John Ring In opening remarks, Senator Murray highlighted need to give workers a fair shot by protecting workers' rights and getting back to core mission of nation's labor laws Murray also cited concerns with recent Board actions, including potential conflict of interest violations by Member Emanuel Mr. Ring has spent career fighting against workers' rights, has helped corporations ski… Continue Reading
03.01.18
Murray Introduces Bill to Strengthen Social Security with Updates for Modern Workforce
Set of proposals would modernize, enhance, and protect Social Security Social Security, passed 80 years ago, was designed for single-income families Today there are more dual-income workers, more women in the workforce, and fewer employer-offered pensions Bill also shores up Social Security Trust Fund with "fair share" provision (Washington, D.C.) -Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the … Continue Reading
03.01.18
Murray Demands Resignation of Scott Lloyd Following Ideological “Ad Hoc” Efforts to Deny Women Reproductive Rights
In newly released documents, Office of Refugee Resettlement Director Scott Lloyd admitted to an "ad hoc" process for personally interfering with abortion access for young, unaccompanied women Murray: "As a woman, a mother, and a grandmother, I am deeply concerned for the young women entrusted to this office's care with Scott Lloyd as director. He is nothing less than a threat to their safety and should step down immediately." Murray has previously called on the health department to an… Continue Reading
03.01.18
Murray, HELP Democrats Send President Trump Key Priorities for CDC Director Candidate
In January, Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald resigned as CDC Director following a series of recusals and issues stemming from her financial conflicts of interest Led by Senator Murray, HELP Committee Democrats sent President Trump key criteria they will look for in a qualified candidate to fill the role Senate Democrats promise any candidate will be "thoroughly scrutinized" given repeated ethical lapses at nation's health department (Washington, D.C.) -Led by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), R… Continue Reading
02.28.18
Senator Murray Commends Bipartisan Legislation for Families and Communities at HELP Executive Session
In markup, HELP Committee moved forward four bipartisan bills to support the health and wellbeing of families and communities (Washington, D.C.) - Today, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Executive Session, Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks commending the progress on several bipartisan bills before the Committee to support the health and wellbeing of families and communities. Legislation at the markup included the Animal Drug User Fee Ame… Continue Reading
02.28.18
Vice President Pence Predicts End of Safe Legal Abortion in U.S.; Murray Says “Not On My Watch”
Murray: The Vice President "can be sure women nationwide will fight each and every day against efforts to turn back the clock on our constitutional rights in our country" WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and highest ranking woman in the United States Senate, issued the following statement in response to Vice President Mike Pence's prediction that access to legal abortions could end "in o… Continue Reading
02.27.18
Murray Asks for Details of Department’s Plan to Prioritize Gun Violence Research
Senator Murray wrote to Secretary Azar asking him to elaborate on his plan to make gun violence research "a priority" for HHS Dickey Amendment states the CDC cannot use federal funds "to promote or advocate gun control" Murray has long believed Dickey Amendment "does not prohibit objective, evidence-based research" into gun violence Azar testified that the amendment "does not in any way impede [HHS's] abilities to conduct [its] research mission" on gun violence (Washington, D.C.… Continue Reading
