Ranking Member's Press

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered opening remarks at the nomination hearing of Dr. John King to serve as Secretary of Education. In her remarks, Murray highlighted the significant challenges and opportunities students face...

Murray: “A right means nothing without the ability to exercise that right.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor in anticipation of next week’s oral arguments in Whole...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered opening remarks at a hearing addressing the growing threat of the Zika virus. The alarming spread of the Zika virus continues to pose a serious threat to families—in particular...

As Senate Judiciary Chairman holds up key HHS nominee over Planned Parenthood attacks, Murray urges GOP to stop playing politics with women’s health   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded the Department of Education’s proposed rule to address disparities in special education and disciplinary practices, such as suspensions and expulsions. The new proposed rule, which is now...

Next Month, Supreme Court Will Hear Zubik v. Burwell, Yet Another Challenge to Health Reform Law’s Birth Control Policy; Today, Sens. Franken and Murray Outline Argument for Protecting Women’s Access to Affordable Birth Control   WASHINGTON, D.C. [02/16/2016]—Today, U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Patty Murray...

Democrats to GOP: Our government has a crucial role to play in ensuring that women everywhere have access to critical health care services   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) led 27 of their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to...

Murray praised WA-state community colleges for helping students transition from higher education to their careers   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee delivered remarks at an event hosted by the Association of Community College Trustees...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) sent a letter to Edith Ramirez, Chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expressing their concern over the continued practice of sexual orientation change efforts, commonly referred to as...

Unaccompanied homeless youth face unique challenges in completing the FAFSA form to qualify for financial aid   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, urged Acting Secretary of Education John King to simplify the Free Application for...

Passed the Committee with unanimous bipartisan support   Legislation introduced last week follows yearlong investigation into contaminated medical devices linked to outbreaks in Washington state and nationwide   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the early childhood education components of President Barack Obama’s FY17 budget proposal. “Early childhood education is one of the smartest investments we can...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on investments in tackling mental illness and substance abuse that were included in President Barack Obama’s FY17 budget proposal.   “I’ve heard far...

Murray: “As I’ve made clear—the path to a bipartisan deal on medical innovation must include mandatory investments in the NIH and the FDA, and must uphold the gold standard of FDA approval.”   Bills in the markup address preventing superbug infections linked to scopes, improving our nation’s health IT...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on investments in cancer research and NIH mandatory funding included in President Barack Obama’s FY17 budget proposal.   “When I talk to researchers and...

Murray vows to continue fighting to strengthen family leave policies   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). President...

Legislation follows yearlong investigation into contaminated medical devices linked to outbreaks in Washington state and nationwide   Gives FDA authority to withhold approval of a device that lacks sufficient cleaning instructions, and will clarify clearance requirements for modified devices   Murray will continue pushing for more...

(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 President’s announcement of budget proposals to tackle prescription drug abuse and heroin use.   “For far too long, prescription drug abuse...

Continues push for sustained investment in FDA and NIH to help patients get safe, effective treatments and drive innovation   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered opening remarks at a hearing on Accelerating Patient Access to Generic Drugs....

Murray wants to make sure students, families voices are heard as she fights to make college more affordable and help students graduate from college without crushing student debt   Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, launched a new tool, on her website to...