Ranking Member's Press
Murray Pushes for Continued Progress on Health Technology to Empower Patients and Providers
At HELP Committee Hearing, Senator Murray outlines key obstacles patients and providers face when accessing electronic health records Following Congress' passage of the HITECH Act in 2009, use of electronic health records has become widespread, leading to better quality of care Citing remaining challenges, Murray stressed the importance of requiring health IT vendors to place patients over profit by ending information blocking and "gag clauses" that prevent providers from speaking out a… Continue Reading
05.02.19
Top Democrats: CMS Rule Undermines Home Health Care Workers, Jeopardizes Quality of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON - Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) release of a final rule designed to obstruct home care workers from directing their own wages to support their union. "The administration's final rule is a transparent att… Continue Reading
05.02.19
House and Senate Democrats Unveil Landmark Legislation to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
Washington, D.C. - Today, House and Senate Democrats introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act-comprehensive legislation to strengthen protections for workers' right to organize a union and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. As wage inequality continues to leave workers and middle-class families behind, this legislation would empower millions of Americans to stand together and ensure hardworking people are getting their fair share of economic… Continue Reading
05.02.19
Murray: New Trump Administration Rule Sabotages Health Care By Encouraging Discrimination
Trump Administration moves to expand policies allowing health care providers to refuse patients care on ideological grounds Change is likely to undermine access to care for the LGBTQ community, people of color, and women Murray wrote to the Health Department last year outlining her objections to the proposed rule Murray: "Instead of fighting to lower costs or protect people's care, President Trump is continuing his sabotage agenda by encouraging discrimination in health care." Wa… Continue Reading
05.01.19
Murray on Trump Administration’s Defense of Striking Down Families’ Health Care: If President Trump Wins, Families Lose
Murray: "If President Trump wins, families lose. They will lose their health care, they will lose protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and they will lose to insurance companies who will once again have free rein to… deny coverage… and leave patients to shoulder high health care costs." Trump Administration submits legal brief arguing protections for people with pre-existing conditions and health care for families across the country should be struck down Trum… Continue Reading
04.30.19
Murray Opposes President Trump’s Pick to Head Agency Protecting Retirement Security of Millions, Hammers Republicans for Unprecedented Obstruction of Democratic Nominees
Senator Murray spoke out against President Trump's nominee to direct agency protecting the retirement security of almost 40 million people Murray expressed concern with the nominee's credentials, and the lack of a thorough vetting process including a HELP Committee hearing Murray has received no response from the Trump Administration to her inquiry about why the current Director is being replaced well before his term expires Murray: "Given my doubts about Mr. Hartogensis's credential… Continue Reading
04.19.19
Murray: President Trump’s Latest Sabotage Amounts To A Health Care Tax, Will Drive Costs Up and Coverage Down
While fighting in court to strike down health care and protections for people with pre-existing conditions, Trump Administration finalizes rule that will drive costs up and coverage down Murray: "President Trump is putting partisan games ahead of families' wellbeing and when people lose their coverage, see their costs go up, and struggle to get the care they need, they are not going to forget his role in sabotaging their health care." Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray … Continue Reading
04.12.19
Murray, Kaine Urge Department of Justice to Publicize Findings of Investigation into Handling of Jeffrey Epstein Case
The Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating then-U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta's sweetheart deal with serial sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein DOJ deal brokered by Acosta allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution and reportedly shut down an FBI investigation into an international sex trafficking ring Several of Epstein's victims have taken action in civil court. In one case, a federal judge recently ruled that prosecutors in Acosta's office viola… Continue Reading
04.12.19
Murray, Burr Introduce Bill to Strengthen and Support the Poison Control Centers Network
Bill strengthens program that helps families get emergency help and safety information Poisonings in the United States cause nearly 700,000 emergency room visits and more than 35,000 deaths per year Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), introduced the Poison Control Center Network Enhancement Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation to continue and … Continue Reading
04.10.19
As Senate Works Towards Comprehensive Reauthorization of Higher Education Act, Senator Murray Outlines Vision to Create Culture of Accountability at Colleges and Universities
At HELP Committee Hearing, Senator Murray lays out her vision for a robust accountability system that ensures schools are responsible for student success Currently less than 60 percent of students graduate within six years of enrolling, and that number is much lower for students of color, low-income students, and students starting school over the age of 20 Murray: "We must ensure that our reauthorization of the Higher Education Act includes an accountability system that is as nuanced as… Continue Reading
04.10.19
ROUNDUP: Murray, Clark, Pressley Introduce Be HEARD Act—Sweeping Bill to Address Workplace Harassment
Huffington Post: "Though other pieces of legislation have been proposed over the past 18 months to pick off specific areas of sex harassment and discrimination, this bill goes deeper, covering many of the systemic issues that hold workers back from seeking justice." CNN: "In the wake of Congress taking steps to get itself in order over sexual harassment, the BE HEARD Act represents a push to more broadly tackle the issue of harassment and discrimination in industries across the country." … Continue Reading
04.09.19
As Senate Republicans Once Again Spread Lies About Abortion, Murray Makes Clear Democrats Will Keep Standing Up For Women And Families
Murray slammed Senate Republicans for holding a partisan hearing to spread misinformation and lies about women's health Murray shared stories of women who have spoken up about their personal decision to have an abortion later in pregnancy Murray: "Why are Republicans spending time doubling down on lies to undermine women's reproductive health?" **Watch Senator Murray's full speech HERE** Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Hea… Continue Reading
04.09.19
Murray, Clark, Pressley —Joined by Workers, Survivors, and Advocates—Introduce Sweeping Legislation to Address Harassment in the Workplace
Members introduce ambitious bill to prevent and address workplace harassment of all kinds, strengthen and expand key protections to all workers, and support workers in seeking accountability and justice Members were joined by workers, survivors, and advocates who shared their personal experiences with workplace assault and harassment Bill follows up on findings from Murray's oversight report spotlighting harassment across industries from Hollywood, to Congress, board rooms, restaurants, … Continue Reading
04.04.19
Murray Calls for Continued FDA Investigation into Whether Cosmetics Marketed to Teens and Children are Contaminated by Asbestos
Senator Murray sends letter to Food and Drug Administration requesting further investigation into whether cosmetics products marketed to teens and children are contaminated by asbestos Senators: "People want to know the cosmetics products being sold to them and their children are safe." Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Patty Murray, (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commission… Continue Reading
04.02.19
On Equal Pay Day, Republicans Strike Down Murray Attempt to Pass Paycheck Fairness Act to Close Loopholes in Equal Pay Act
Murray asked for "unanimous consent" to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act-which passed the House of Representatives last week with bipartisan support More than 50 years after the Equal Pay Act was signed into law, women on average only make 80 cents for every dollar white men make The pay gap is even wider for women of color-African American women's equal pay day is in August and Latinas have to work until November to make what their white male colleagues made last year The Paycheck Fai… Continue Reading
04.02.19
Murray Slams DeVos’ Proposed Title IX Rule, Urges Committee to Listen to Survivors’ Stories and Experiences As Committee Works to Address Campus Sexual Assault
At HELP Committee Hearing, Senator Murray highlights need for Congress to address epidemic of campus sexual assault by finding legislative solution to protect students from sexual assault and harassment Murray condemns Secretary DeVos' proposed changes to Title IX, which would once again sweep sexual assault under the rug by allowing schools to shirk their responsibility to keep students safe Murray to student survivors: "I stand with you and I'm going to keep fighting to stop what hap… Continue Reading
04.02.19
Murray, Feinstein, DeLauro Send Letter to U.S. Soccer Federation on Equal Pay Lawsuit
Washington, D.C. - Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today sent a letter to the President of the U.S. Soccer Federation, Carlos Cordeiro, urging the Federation to address the persistent pay inequities between women and men on the U.S. National Soccer Teams. The Members of Congress expressed their disappointment that U.S. Soccer has failed to rem… Continue Reading
03.30.19
After Murray Questions Secretary DeVos on Student Borrower Relief, Department of Education Confirms No Claims Have Been Approved
New data provided by Department of Education confirms that no claims filed by students who were cheated or defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges were approved in last quarter of 2018 At Senate Appropriations hearing, Secretary DeVos was unable to recall last time her department has approved a "borrower defense" claim In October 2018, a federal court ordered the Department of Education to implement protections for defrauded students, despite DeVos' attempted delays Murray: "Ther… Continue Reading
03.29.19
Ahead of Equal Pay Day, Murray, Schakowsky, Underwood Announce Bill to Address Retirement Gap, Strengthen Women’s Financial Futures
Women lose over $400,000 over a forty-year career due to the wage gap, and are 80 percent more likely than men to face poverty in retirement Bill changes minimum participation standards for long-term, part-time workers-most of whom are women- to expand access to retirement plans Legislation extends spousal protections against one spouse undermining a couple's retirement resources without the other's knowledge and consent Bill includes grants to help low-income women and survivors of … Continue Reading
03.28.19
Murray, Wyden Press Trump Administration to Explain Decision to Roll Back Key Retiree Protections
Senators Murray and Wyden write to Treasury and IRS seeking explanation of decision to reverse 2015 policy on regulating lump-sum payouts to retirees Lump-sum payouts help companies save money by dumping financial risk onto retirees-who also often receive less money than they would otherwise 2015 Notice made clear Treasury would propose rules to address the practice, Trump Administration's new 2019 Notice reverses that position to allow it Pensions pay out regularly over a retiree's … Continue Reading
