Ranking Member's Press
Senator Murray Responds to Former Health Secretary’s Admission that Republican Health Care Sabotage Will Raise Costs
Speaking at World Heath Care Congress, former Secretary Price admitted Republican efforts to sabotage health care would drive up costs for families Former Secretary Price: "… there are many, and I'm one of them, who believes that [repealing the individual mandate] actually will harm the pool in the exchange market, because you'll likely have individuals who are younger and healthier not participating in that market, and consequently, that drives up the cost for other folks within that… Continue Reading
04.27.18
Senator Murray Investigates Potential Misuse of Restricted Hiring Authority at Health Department
In letter to Secretary Azar, Senator Murray asks about the Department's use of a restricted hiring authority to bring on Dr. Redfield as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Redfield was hired through Title 42, a hiring authority intended specifically to fill scientific positions only after other efforts have been exhausted Letter questions Department's grounds for using Title 42 and for offering Dr. Redfield a salary significantly higher than that of his p… Continue Reading
04.25.18
Murray, DeLauro Call on Labor Board to Uphold Law, Not Ignore Bipartisan Agreement
Cite recent reports that White House budget office has directed NLRB to freeze funding, in violation of law Labor board top lawyer is also reportedly attempting to reorganize the Board based off President Trump's budget request, also in violation of the law These actions directly contradict the bipartisan agreement that Congress just passed Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ranking members of the Senate and House Appropriati… Continue Reading
04.24.18
Murray Praises Committee Passage of Major Opioids Bill, Calls for Continued Bipartisan Work
HELP Committee voted unanimously to advance extensive, bipartisan opioid response bill after months of bipartisan work spearheaded by Murray, Alexander The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 includes more than 40 proposals, which were considered over seven months of bipartisan hearings, to support families and communities facing the opioid crisis Bill includes proposals Senator Murray fought for to address the challenges facing children and babies affected by the opioid crisis Senato… Continue Reading
04.20.18
Senator Murray on the Trump-Pence Ideological Approach to Teen Pregnancy: “Absolutely Wrong Direction”
(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 in response to news that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would shift its approach in funding programs to prevent teen pregnancy. "Both Democrats and Republicans have supported investing in evidence-based approaches to preventing teen pregnancy, so it is disappointing-and deeply concerning-that th… Continue Reading
04.20.18
Senator Murray Criticizes Trump Health Department’s New, “Extreme Ideological Roadmap”
Last year, Senator Murray and Senate Democrats sent a letter voicing concerns with the draft strategic plan issued by the Department Department's final plan fails to address key issues raised by the Senators Plan retains ideological language and priorities Plan makes no mention of LGBTQ populations and fails to address health issues in relation to sexual orientation (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labo… Continue Reading
04.19.18
Top Democrats Urge National Labor Relations Board to Protect Workers’ Right to Unionize
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and nine other Democrats submitted a public comment to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) about their request for information on whether to retain, rescind, or modify the 2014 Election Rule. The Obama-era rule streamlined the NLRB's process for … Continue Reading
04.18.18
Murray on Department Of Education General Counsel Nominee: “I’m Afraid Mr. Muniz at the Department of Education Will Only Be More Of The Same”
Murray urges colleagues to vote against the nomination of Carlos Muniz for General Counsel of the Department of Education As Secretary DeVos continues to undermine protections for students, Murray voiced concerns about Muniz's willingness to stand up to DeVos FL Attorney General decided not to investigate Trump University while Muniz was Chief of Staff Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Com… Continue Reading
04.16.18
Murray Statement on Veterans with Disabilities Student Loan Relief Announcement
Department of Education announced it would begin proactively notifying veterans with disabilities that they can discharge their federal student loans Higher Education Act allows for full discharge of federal student loans for veterans unable to work due to service-connected disabilities Murray urged Secretary DeVos to work with VA to automatically discharge loans last December Murray: "I'm pleased Department of Education is… [taking] this strong step forward, and I hope they w… Continue Reading
04.11.18
Senator Murray Strongly Opposes Former Sweatshop Lobbyist for Number Two Spot at Labor Department
Speaking from Senate floor, Murray strongly denounced Patrick Pizzella's nomination to serve as Deputy Secretary of Labor Senator Murray: "With this nomination, President Trump is once again breaking his promise to put workers first." Nominee worked with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff to block worker protections in U.S. territory Senator Murray: "It would be irresponsible to put a man with such a strong track record of anti-worker convictions a tweet away from leading the Departmen… Continue Reading
04.11.18
Citing Ethics Scandals and Unprecedented Nature of Jamming Through A Nominee at Critical Labor Board, Murray Votes Against Trump-Appointed, Pro-Business Nominee
In floor speech yesterday, Murray voiced her opposition to NLRB nominee and pro-business lawyer John Ring Ring's nomination is being jammed through in an unprecedented manner, while current Trump-appointed Board members' integrity is clouded by conflicts of interest scandals Senator Murray also highlighted Equal Pay Day, the day marking how far into the year it takes women on average to earn what their male colleagues made in 2017 Murray: "Families increasingly rely on women's wages … Continue Reading
04.11.18
Senator Murray Credits Bipartisan Focus on Listening for Progress in New Opioids Bill
Last week Ranking Member Murray and Chairman Alexander announced a discussion draft of bipartisan legislation to address the opioid crisis The package of proposals was developed over 6 months of HELP Committee hearings highlighting the perspectives of families and experts facing the epidemic Senator Murray has also held events on the crisis in Washington state and brought stories she's heard there to Washington, D.C. Senator Murray: "This bill is a testament to the value of listening… Continue Reading
04.10.18
Murray Urges Republican Senate Leaders to Take Action to Address Workplace Sexual Harassment at Hearing for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Nominee
Additionally, Senator Murray urged Chairman Alexander to hold a hearing on workplace harassment, more than 10 weeks after Democratic members of the Committee requested hearing Senate HELP Committee has not held a hearing on workplace sexual harassment in almost 40 years Murray: "It's been really unfortunate to see a lack of urgency or action from Republican leaders here in Congress" on sexual harassment As President Trump continues to roll back protections for workers and discrimina… Continue Reading
04.10.18
Murray Statement on Equal Pay Day: Gender Pay Gap is Wrong, Harmful, and It’s Got to Change
On Equal Pay Day, Senator Murray highlights the need to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act Wage gap is higher for women of color: African American women make 63 cents, Latinas make 54 cents for every dollar their white, male colleagues make 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 Equal Pay Day, the date when women's wages finally catch up to what men were pai… Continue Reading
04.09.18
Murray: New Trump Administration Health Rule “Open Invitation” For Insurers to Charge More and Skirt Patient Protections
HHS rulemaking on benefits and payments issued today; will allow insurers to undermine essential health benefits, hike rates 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 proposed benefit and payment guidelines released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). "With this new rule, President Trump has issued an open invitation for insurance… Continue Reading
04.06.18
Senator Murray Demands Explanation of Decision to Remove Breast Cancer Resources as Health Department Reverses Course, Restores Some Information Amid Public Backlash
Recent report found significant changes on HHS website to remove information about breast cancer and women's health Yesterday, following public backlash, the Department restored some of the information previously removed In letter to Secretary Azar, Senator Murray called on the Department to explain and reverse the decision About 1 in 8 women across the country will face breast cancer in their lifetime (Washington, D.C.) - Yesterday, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member o… Continue Reading
03.27.18
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
