Ranking Member's Press
Murray to Oppose President Trump’s Latest Ideological Choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services
Murray criticizes President Trump's partisan, politically-motivated approach to health care, says Azar has made clear he will follow Trump's lead on opioids, drug prices, Trumpcare, women's health Murray: In nominating Mr. Azar, "President Trump once again failed to listen to patients and families who are sick of seeing the President put politics before their health and wellbeing" Murray: "The last thing women need from President Trump's administration is another force for turning back t… Continue Reading
01.16.18
Murray Blasts President Trump’s Health Care Sabotage as Uninsured Rate Spikes by Millions
(Washington, D.C.) -Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued a statement following the news that 3.2 million more individuals were uninsured by the end of 2017 as compared to the end of 2016. "The results are in and they are tragic. After a year of President Trump's repeated sabotage-from putting up barriers to health care, cutting open enrollment, and expanding loopholes, to trying to throw the enti… Continue Reading
01.11.18
Murray Denounces President Trump’s Latest Effort to Take Coverage Away, Undermine Medicaid
(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 Administration's proposed work requirements for Medicaid. "It speaks volumes that after spending a year sabotaging families' health care and jamming through tax cuts for massive corporations and the wealthiest, one of President Trump's first priorities in the new year is to pull the rug out from people w… Continue Reading
01.10.18
Sen. Murray Demands Congress Act to Help Patients and Families Across the Country and Extend Funding for Children’s Health Insurance Program and Critical Community Health Center Programs
In remarks on the Senate floor, Sen. Murray explained the urgency of ending the uncertainty threatening health care for families and communities Sen. Murray shared stories from Washington state on the impact of current inaction on families and communities Sen. Murray: By pushing partisan tax reform "Republicans put massive corporations and the wealthiest ahead of making sure children and families have the health care they need." Sen. Murray urged a swift and full restoration of prog… Continue Reading
01.10.18
Murray Welcomes Smith, Jones to HELP Committee: “Senator Tina Smith And Senator Doug Jones Both Have Strong Records Of Standing Up For Working Families”
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 today welcoming Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) as the newest members of the Senate HELP Committee. "Senator Tina Smith and Senator Doug Jones both have strong records of standing up for working families, and I'm pleased to welcome them both to the HELP Committee. I'm proud of the work we did last y… Continue Reading
01.09.18
OPIOIDS: Sen. Murray Highlights Need for More Resources to Help Communities Respond, Prevent Opioid Misuse
In opening statement, Sen. Murray spoke about visiting with families and individuals fighting the opioid crisis at a hospital in Washington state where almost one out of every two babies born has a mother struggling with substance use Sen. Murray emphasized the wide-ranging impact of the crisis on families and communities Sen. Murray called out the Trump Administration for failing to live up to its promises to take serious action against the opioid epidemic Sen. Murray: "If we are go… Continue Reading
01.08.18
Murray: Appointing Puzder “Would Be Shocking, If It Wasn’t Par For The Course Under President Trump”
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 today on reports that President Trump is considering appointing Andrew Puzder to his Administration. In February, Puzder withdrew his nomination for Secretary of Labor after harsh criticism of his treatment of workers and women. "People across the country already spoke up and made clear Andrew Puzder's vision for women and w… Continue Reading
01.04.18
Murray on Trump Administration’s Latest Proposal to Sabotage Health Care and Weaken Coverage for Patients and Families
(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 Department of Labor's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on expanding Association Health Plans. "The Trump administration is unfortunately starting this year with yet another harmful policy that will further undermine families' health care by expanding loopholes that will raise costs for people with pre-existing c… Continue Reading
12.22.17
Murray, Scott: National Labor Relations Board Decision to Weaken Workers’ Rights “Represents a Low-Point for the Board”
In new letter, Members of Congress call for thorough review of National Labor Relations Board vote to weaken protections for workers and undermine collective bargaining Last week, NLRB reversed a key worker protection decision in partisan vote with no public input Members of Congress cite concerns with key Board member's potential conflicts of interest "This decision will make it harder for millions of workers to advocate for better wages and support their families, and it goes agai… Continue Reading
12.20.17
Murray: “I Strongly Urge Secretary DeVos To Abandon This Cruel Process, And Instead Immediately Provide Full Relief” To Cheated and Defrauded Students
(Washington, D.C.) - Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Education's ("Department") announcement it will only provide partial relief to students who were defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges, including the now-closed Corinthian Colleges, Inc. Under the "borrower defense" process, students who were cheated out of their education and savings should receive … Continue Reading
12.20.17
Murray Statement on Republican Plans to Postpone Action on Alexander-Murray Health Bill Through End of Year
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 on Republican plans to postpone action on the bipartisan Alexander-Murray bill through the end of the year. "Republicans have just severely sabotaged families' health care to give tax cuts to massive corporations and the wealthiest, and they are fully responsible for the premium increases and coverage loss that will come as … Continue Reading
12.20.17
Following Reports Health Officials Are Prohibiting Words, HELP Committee Democrats Pressure Health Secretary Nominee Azar to Put Science Over Ideology
In new letter, Democratic senators ask HHS nominee to explain how he plans to prioritize science at an agency currently censoring employees Trump Administration reportedly restricting use of a number of words and phrases in budget documents, including "diversity," "science-based," "fetus," and "transgender" - LINK Senators: "The censorship has the potential to freeze scientific advancement at the agency and across the Department, and it sends a clear message that the Trump Administration… Continue Reading
12.15.17
Senate Democrats Urge President Trump Not to Undermine Women’s Health & Rights in Upcoming Budget Proposal
In new letter, Senate Democrats state opposition to restrictions on women's access to health care-LINK Democrats: "Barriers to health care, including restrictions on abortion, should have no place in the [budget]" (Washington, D.C.) - Led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), today Senate Democrats urged President Donald Trump to steer clear of any attempts to include federal restrictions on abortion care and inject his anti-women's health agenda in the upcoming fiscal year 2019 Budget Propos… Continue Reading
12.15.17
Murray: “DeVos Will Be Further Denying A Generation Of Students the Opportunities Promised To Them” Under Nation’s Special Education Law
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on the announcement by the Department of Education to consider delaying protections for children of color and students with disabilities. "Children of color are often held back from accessing the same opportunities as their peers because they are disproportionately punished or put in separate special education classes. So… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Murray: National Labor Relations Board Decision Gives “Corporations A Blank Check to Ignore Their Bargaining Responsibilities to Workers”
Move would make meaningful collective bargaining impossible for millions, let companies off the hook for violations (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision to overturn the Browning-Ferris Industries decision, nullifying the Board's joint employer standard and undermining protections for millions of workers. … Continue Reading
12.13.17
Ahead of Expected Surge in Final Day Sign-Ups, Top Democrats Urge Trump Administration to Set “Grace Period” for Families Attempting to Purchase Health Care at Midnight on Dec. 15
In new letter, Senate, House committee leaders call on Trump Administration to ensure all potential enrollees waiting to register for coverage at midnight on December 15 will be processed & able to receive health care (Washington, D.C.) - Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Richard Neal (D-MA) today called on Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Eric Hargan and Centers for Medi… Continue Reading
12.13.17
Murray on House Higher Education Bill: “Jamming Through Partisan Bills In the Dead of the Night” Is A Step In the Wrong Direction
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on the passage of a partisan Higher Education Act reauthorization bill out of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. "You would think Republicans would have learned by now that jamming through partisan bills in the dead of the night is not how people think Congress should work, and yet, that's exactly what Ho… Continue Reading
12.13.17
Murray, Senators Demand Department of Education Continue Aggressive Monitoring and Enforcement Tactics into Student Loan and Grant Programs
In August, the Department of Education proposed changes to federal student aid enforcement including the hiring of another former for-profit college executive In letter, Senators urge Department to prioritize students and borrowers, and maintain strong oversight of corporations responsible for federal financial aid programs Senators also cite recommendations of independent Office of Inspector General in areas where Department's actions are flawed or lacking Senate Democrats: "We urge… Continue Reading
12.13.17
Citing Unknown and Potentially Damaging Impacts on Students and Schools, Senators Demand Delay of Net Neutrality Decision
FCC Chairman Pai is proposing to roll back net neutrality rules without any apparent consideration of impact on our nation's students Schools in low-income and rural areas relying on high-speed internet to help kids learn could be hit especially hard by FCC decision Senators are concerned rolling back net neutrality could exacerbate educational inequities and increase digital divide Senators: "From early childhood education through higher education and workforce training, students … Continue Reading
12.12.17
Murray and Warren Demand Answers From National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Peter Robb on Sweeping Memo Changing Board Policies, Warn of a “Significant Shift in the Board’s Efforts to Protect Workers’ Rights”
Robb issued memo to regional Board offices proposing sweeping review a mere nine workdays after Robb began as NLRB General Counsel Memo would end efforts to protect workers' rights beginning under the Obama administration, undermine protections for workers as the economy changes Murray and Warren: "The abrupt issuance of [the memo] and the efforts it chooses to target raise serious and troubling questions." (Washington, D.C.) -Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate… Continue Reading
