Ranking Member's Press
Murray to Dept. of Education: One Servicemember Wronged on Student Loans is One Too Many
Washington, D.C. - Today Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and senior member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the Department of Education's analysis of recent violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. "If one servicemember is cheated on their student loans while risking everything for their country, that is one too many. I've been deeply disappointed with the Depa… Continue Reading
05.20.15
Murray: Accountability is Key for Protecting Taxpayer Dollars and Helping Students Succeed in Higher Ed
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at a Committee hearing on Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: Exploring Institutional Risk-sharing. In her opening statement, Murray noted the importance of holding colleges and universities accountable for the investments these institutions receive from students and taxpayers. As Congress works to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, Murray said sh… Continue Reading
05.19.15
EARLY LEARNING: Murray Introduces Strong Start for America’s Children Act
Murray introduces legislation to expand access to preschool and improve early learning opportunities (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee introduced the Strong Start for America's Children Act, legislation that would expand quality preschool programs. The Strong Start for America's Children Act is a 10-year innovative federal-state partnership to expand and improve early learning opport… Continue Reading
05.19.15
Murray: Stronger Protections Needed to Eliminate Workplace Discrimination
Murray: "Freedom from discrimination is a requirement for making sure all Americans have the opportunity to work hard and succeed." (Washington, D.C) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at a Committee hearing on oversight of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In her opening statement, Murray called for Congress to give the EEOC the resources it needs to fight discrimination in the workplace… Continue Reading
05.18.15
Murray Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Head Start
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee released the following statement commemorating the 50th anniversary of Head Start. "For fifty years, Head Start has helped young learners build their skills so they have the opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed. By working closely with families and communities, Head Start also demonstrates the value of strong partnerships in extending more educational … Continue Reading
05.13.15
Murray to GOP: Extreme, Unconstitutional Restriction on Women’s Reproductive Rights Is Going Nowhere
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on House passage of legislation that would severely restrict a woman's constitutionally protected access to reproductive care. "Today's vote is more of the same from Republicans who would rather play politics with women's health than tackle the serious challenges our country faces. Women have been very clear that when it comes to their m… Continue Reading
05.13.15
Murray, Israel Introduce Bill to Ban Credit Discrimination Against LGBT Individuals
The Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity when applying for credit (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Steve Israel (D-NY) introduced the Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act (FDCA) of 2015, which would amend the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit credit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There is currently no federal law that… Continue Reading
05.12.15
Murray Statement on Updated FDA Guidance on Blood Donation for Gay Men
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on the updated recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding gay men and blood donation. "The guidance released today was a step in the right direction, and I am pleased the FDA is moving forward to revise the lifetime ban on blood donations. However, I am disappointed that this guidance does not go far enough and … Continue Reading
05.11.15
Murray Applauds HHS Announcement Clarifying Consumer Rights on Contraception Coverage, Preventive Care
Announcement follows Murray-led letter urging HHS to act to ensure insurance companies uphold ACA requirements on women's health (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the announcement by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell that the Administration will release guidance clarifying consumers' rights on contraception coverage and other essential health benefi… Continue Reading
05.08.15
Senators Blumenthal, Murray, Franken, and Colleagues Urge HHS to Ensure Coverage for Critical Mental Health Care
(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) joined with fourteen of their colleagues to urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase consumer protections for patients seeking coverage for mental health and substance use services and treatments. In a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, the senators noted that a recent survey found nearly one-third of respondents has or has a family member that… Continue Reading
05.08.15
Senators Urge Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to Provide Support to Students Affected by the Closure of Corinthian Colleges
Lawmakers Write, "Our First Priority Should Be Making Sure We Help These Students Any Way We Can." Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and seven other Senate Democrats today sent a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan urging him to use the agency's authority to provide support to the thousands of students affected by the closure of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. Other… Continue Reading
05.06.15
Murray Outlines Principles for Higher Ed, Calls for Better Information on College Options for Students
Murray calls for clear and consistent information to help students navigate college options Murray: "Expanding access to higher education couldn't be more important for students who want to gain a foothold into the middle class." (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at a HELP Committee hearing on Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: The Role of Consumer Information in College Choice. … Continue Reading
05.05.15
Murray: Supporting Precision Medicine is Key to Improving Care for Patients
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at a HELP Committee hearing on Continuing America's Leadership: Realizing the Promise of Precision Medicine for Patients. In her opening statement, Murray highlighted that it is one of her priorities to work to improve the quality of care for patients, and that supporting precision medicine is a critical part of this effort. Murray discussed the need fo… Continue Reading
05.05.15
Murray, Democrats to HHS: Women Should Have Full Access to All FDA-Approved Contraception
Following reports of violations, Murray and Democrats call on HHS to ensure ACA contraception coverage provision is fully implemented (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and 38 Senate Democrats sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell following reports that insurers are failing to cover forms of contraception approved by the FDA, as required under the Afford… Continue Reading
05.01.15
Widespread Support for the Raise the Wage Act
(Washington, D.C.) - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA) introduced the Raise the Wage Act, legislation that would increase the minimum wage to $12 by 2020. The Raise the Wage Act would also index the federal minimum wage to the median wage, and gradually eliminate the subminimum tipped wage. The legislation would raise wages for nearly 38 million American workers. What others are saying about the Raise the Wage Act: National Employm… Continue Reading
04.30.15
MINIMUM WAGE: Murray, Scott Introduce the Raise the Wage Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA) introduced the Raise the Wage Act, legislation that would increase the minimum wage to $12 by 2020. The Raise the Wage Act would also index the federal minimum wage to the median wage, and gradually eliminate the subminimum tipped wage. The legislation would raise wages for nearly 38 million American workers. "No one who works hard in a full-time job should have to live in poverty. We … Continue Reading
04.29.15
Alexander, Murray Announce Working Group to Identify Ways to Improve Electronic Health Records
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29 - Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced a bipartisan, full committee working group to identify ways to improve electronic health records (EHRs). "After $28 billion in taxpayer dollars spent subsidizing electronic health records, doctors don't like these electronic medical record systems and say they disrupt workflow, interrupt the doctor-patient relationship and haven't been worth the … Continue Reading
04.28.15
On Workers’ Memorial Day, Murray Calls for Critical Protections to Make Workplaces Safer and Healthier
On Workers' Memorial Day, Murray calls for Congress to support the Protecting America's Workers Act (Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee delivered remarks on the Senate floor on Workers' Memorial Day to remember those who have lost their lives on the job, and called on Congress to improve safety protections at workplaces across the country. Murray urged her colleagues to support the Protecting… Continue Reading
04.28.15
Murray to Insurers: Failure to Cover, Inform Women About Contraceptive Health Care Is “Unacceptable”
Murray writes letter to eight Washington state insurers about failure to provide approved contraception, accurate information on Washington Healthplanfinder Murray: "A lack of consumer awareness and transparency about what is covered for women is unacceptable." (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a letter to eight health insurance companies offering coverage on Washington Healthplanfinder in Washingt… Continue Reading
04.28.15
Murray Calls for Continued Progress in Medical Innovation, Focus on Safe and Effective Treatment for Patients
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at a HELP Committee hearing on Continuing America's Leadership: The Future of Medical Innovation for Patients. In her opening statement, Murray called for Congress to work to find ways to advance the development of new medical products for patients, while continuing to ensure the highest standards of medical safety and effectiveness. Murray also called … Continue Reading
