Ranking Member's Press

(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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

(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...

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...

(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...

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...

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...

  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...

(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...

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...

  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...

(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...

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...

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...

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...

  Ethics agreement of CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald would likely require recusal from involvement in some issues relating to cancer, prescription drug monitoring programs   CDC has already sent deputies to testify before Congress on opioid crisis due to Director Fitzgerald’s ongoing conflicts of interest   Murray: “I am...

Back in October, President Trump rolled back birth control mandate under the ACA undermining preventive care for millions of women nationwide—LINK   In new letter, 37 Senate Democrats call on Administration to rescind President Trump’s action allowing employers to roll back health care coverage for...