Ranking Member's Press
Murray, Smith Urge Labor Department to Withdraw Proposal That Would Discourage Financial Advisors From Supporting Racial Justice
13 Democrats submit comment letter opposing proposed rule that would discourage investments which consider environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) criteria Such investments allow financial advisors to consider issues like whether or not companies have established diverse leadership teams, foster inclusive or discriminatory workplaces, and more In 2018, women and men of color held only 4.6% and 11.5% of board seats on Fortune 500 companies respectively, and there were only four Bla… Continue Reading
07.14.20
Murray: GOP Child Care Proposal “Like Trying to Put Out a Fire With an Empty Bucket”
Senator Murray: "I'm very glad to see that my Republican colleagues have recognized that we need to do something about the child care crisis in this country-but their proposal doesn't even invest a single dime in actually solving the problem." (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 the inadequate Republican proposal to address the current child care… Continue Reading
07.14.20
Murray Calls Out Trump Administration’s Damaging Health Care Agenda as New Report Shows Millions Newly Uninsured During Pandemic
New report shows 5.4 million laid off workers became uninsured during first months of COVID-19 pandemic Finding underscores the stakes of partisan lawsuit where President Trump and Republicans are fighting to strip health care from four times as many people Murray and Democrats have urged Republicans to work on policies to ensure access to quality, affordable health care Senator Murray: "It's painfully clear we need a serious health care plan built around solutions meant to actually he… Continue Reading
07.13.20
Schumer, Murray Announce New Proposal To Ensure COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe, Effective, Free, Universally Available, and Widely Administered
New white paper from Senate Democrats outlines policies in eight areas crucial to ensuring one or more safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines that are produced, distributed, and administered widely enough to end the COVID-19 pandemic Policies aim to avoid repeat of the mistakes that have plagued the Trump Administration's testing efforts like poor leadership, supply chain issues, health disparities, and other challenges Proposals address challenges around production, distribution, cost, heal… Continue Reading
07.10.20
Murray Responds to Latest Trump Administration Proposal to Raise Patients’ Health Care Costs
Trump Administration proposal would let legacy health care plans increase patients' health care costs Senator Murray: "This is no time to leave patients with higher health care bills they can't afford, and yet every move from President Trump makes clear that's the cornerstone of his health care agenda." (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 re… Continue Reading
07.09.20
Murray Releases New Report On Trump Administration’s Testing Failures, Warns Against Repeat Performance With Vaccines, Continued Testing Needs
Interviews with COVID-19 test manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, laboratories, industry associations, and state officials reveal chaotic, uncoordinated federal response led to avoidable shortages of certain supplies, delays, and mistakes 30-page report warns supply chain issues could make it impossible to expand-or even maintain-testing capacity if federal government continues its refusal to lead Report offers 26 recommendations to improve COVID-19 testing capacity, apply lessons l… Continue Reading
07.09.20
Murray, HELP Democrats Demand DeVos Reverse All Actions Inconsistent with SCOTUS Decision Affirming LGBTQIA+ Rights
Recent Supreme Court decision found that the Civil Rights Act protections against sex discrimination include discrimination motivated by gender identity or sexual orientation Reasoning used in the Court's decision applies with equal force to Title IX and its protections against sex discrimination in education Democrats: "Rather than advance a discriminatory agenda, your Department should work toward protecting the civil rights of all students." Democrats: "In light of the Court's de… Continue Reading
07.09.20
Senators Murray and Casey Will Reintroduce Legislation to Stop Trump Rules Limiting Access to Birth Control
Senator Murray and Casey announce plan to reintroduce Protect Access to Birth Control Act, bill would stop Trump Administration rules undermining access to birth control Move comes on heels of SCOTUS decision upholding Trump rule, announcement House cosponsors will reintroduce legislation as well Murray: "We can't let access to essential health care like birth control become a luxury only available to those who can afford it." Casey: "Allowing a private employer to deny employees ac… Continue Reading
07.08.20
Senator Murray: Trump Administration’s Attempts to “Bully” Schools to Ignore Public Health Guidelines Are Irresponsible
Senator Murray: "As a mom, and a grandmother, the thought of using students' safety as a bargaining chip is truly appalling-and I hope that Senate Republicans don't stoop to that level just because the President wants to." (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 the Trump Administration's recent efforts to push schools to ignore public health guidel… Continue Reading
07.08.20
Murray, HELP Dems to Azar: Rescind Rule Undermining Health Care Protections, Including for LGBTQIA+ Patients, In Light of New SCOTUS Decision
In Bostock v. Clayton County, the Supreme Court ruled that federal anti-sex discrimination law covers discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation In new letter, HELP Dems urge Azar to rescind harmful rule rolling back protections for LGBTQIA+ patients under Section 1557 of the ACA because it conflicts with Supreme Court precedent Democrats: "The Department's rule conflicts with statutory text and is inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent because it allows dis… Continue Reading
07.08.20
Senator Murray Responds to Supreme Court Ruling Undermining Access to Birth Control
Senator Murray: "I'm incredibly disappointed by the Court's decision that leaves many who can't afford birth control on their own, but I'm as determined as ever to keep up the fight for reproductive rights" (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 the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Pennsylvania (Little Sisters of the Poor) which was… Continue Reading
07.07.20
Senator Murray: President Trump’s Move to Exit WHO “Is The Opposite of Putting America First—It Will Put America at Risk”
Senator Murray sharply criticized the Trump Administration for announcing the U.S. will withdraw from the World Health Organization Move undermines global fights against COVID-19, polio, measles, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and more, and will leave the U.S. less prepared against future health threats Senator Murray: "This is an abdication of America's role as a global leader and it is the opposite of putting America first-it will put America at risk." Senator Murray: "President Trump needs to… Continue Reading
07.06.20
Murray and Pallone Criticize Trump for Endangering People With Anti-Science Rhetoric Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic
Senator Murray and Representative Pallone criticize President Trump's politicization of public health and use of anti-science rhetoric in response to the COVID-19 pandemic President Trump continues to undermine scientists and public health authorities, said COVID-19 would "disappear" as cases across the country surge State and local public health officials across the country report being threatened or pushed out of their positions for refusing to manipulate data or support unsafe reopeni… Continue Reading
07.02.20
Sen. Murray, Rep. Scott Press Trump Administration for Extended Comment Period On Weakened Retiree Protection
Murray and Scott: "The DOL owes it to the public to take the time to meaningfully engage with people about their concerns rather than rushing through a rule that would seriously damage the retirement security of people across the country." 30-day comment period is less than half of what similar proposals were granted in the past Murray and Scott both expressed their concern with the Department's weak proposal shortly after it was announced Murray: "Instead of moving ahead with this prop… Continue Reading
07.02.20
Senator Murray: DeVos and Trump Ignoring Public Education Emergency with New School Privatization Proposal
(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 reports that the White House will release a proposal to advance their ideological privatization agenda, including direct funding to private schools and a national tax credit scholarship proposal, or their so called "Education Freedom Scholarship." "Right now, our public education system is facing unprecedented challen… Continue Reading
07.01.20
Senator Murray Statement on SCOTUS Ruling in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue
Senator Murray: "As public schools across the country face devastating budget shortfalls … it's especially devastating to see that the conservative wing of the Supreme Court has issued a decision that will make it easier for states to take money away from public schools." (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 in response to the Supreme Court's decision… Continue Reading
07.01.20
Murray, Democrats Urge CDC to Combat Antimicrobial Resistant Infections Associated With COVID-19
Democrats urge CDC Director Redfield to address the threat of antimicrobial resistant infections compounding the public health threat posed by COVID-19 There are nearly three million antimicrobial resistant infections in the United States each year Murray, Democrats: "It is critical you act to make sure the threat of antimicrobial resistance doesn't complicate the already unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and leave even more patients with an infection our tools can't eff… Continue Reading
06.30.20
Senator Murray Urges Republicans to Finally Provide Relief for Students and Families, Calls For Vote on the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act
In remarks on the Senate floor, Senator Murray called for a vote on her $430 billion bill to ensure child care providers, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities can continue to provide quality services to children and students across the country Republican Senator Mike Lee blocked Senator Murray's efforts Senator Murray: "Our child care providers, students, families, educators and schools cannot wait a day longer. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill immediately." ***WATCH SENATO… Continue Reading
06.30.20
Senators Murray, Schumer, Democrats Introduce $430 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill to Address National Child Care and Education Crises as Democrats Urge Republicans to Act on Bold COVID-19 Relief
Murray, Schumer bill will provide relief to students and families and ensure child care providers, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities can continue to provide quality services to children and students across the country Bill will address growing inequities in our education system by funding services for students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, students experiencing homelessness, students with disabilities, and more Bill includes safeguards to ensure t… Continue Reading
06.30.20
Senator Murray Calls For National Vaccines Plan From Trump Administration, Cautions Against Repeating Testing Mistakes
As COVID-19 deaths pass 126,000 and cases soar, Senator Murray presses health officials about Trump Administration's response Senator Murray: "I want to get to the point quickly and be blunt about it: the COVID-19 response in our country is still a disaster." Following mistakes, delays, and disparities with testing efforts, Murray urges Republicans to work with Democrats to require the Trump Administration to provide a comprehensive national plan for a safe, effective, widely available v… Continue Reading
