Chair's Press

Senate votes to confirm James Kvaal by a bipartisan vote of 58-37.   Senator Murray: “Students across the country deserve leaders who are committed to addressing these urgent problems—and who will work to always put students and borrowers first. I believe James Kvaal is exactly that kind of leader.”   ***WATCH SENATOR...

(Washington, DC) – This morning, Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement on the Supreme Court declining to block Texas’ SB8, the most extreme and harsh abortion ban in the United States.      Under the law, patients cannot...

Murray: “It is painfully clear climate action, public health, and equity, are each urgent crises and all are inextricably linked. The creation of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity at HHS shows the Biden Administration understands that important...

  ***WATCH THE ROUNDTABLE HERE***   (Washington, DC) - This afternoon, Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), spoke with small business owners representing over 530 small business owners nationwide who have called on Congress to prioritize the urgent call for a...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of  the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the passing of Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO:   “I’m so deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my great friend, Richard Trumka. I have...

HELP Committee advances four bipartisan bills including the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the STANDUP Act of 2021, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021, and the Assistive Technology Act   HELP Committee votes 11-11 on nominations of David Weil to DOL and Catherine Lhamon to ED, both now await a full Senate vote on a motion...

Senate confirms Gwynne Wilcox by a vote of 52-47   Senate confirms David Prouty by a vote of 53-46   Senator Murray: “It’s clear to me that we need David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox on the NLRB to reverse the damage done by years of anti-worker attacks, and to get us back on the right track, building back an economy that works...

In case you missed it: Earlier this week, Senator Murray, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, wrote about how the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to make bold investments in public health—now and in the long term. The new post on Medium also cites polling from Data for Progress released this week,...

Senator Murray: “We have to end the cycle of crisis and complacency in public health that led us here.”   Senator Murray: “Before this pandemic struck, public health departments across the country were woefully understaffed and underfunded, and our nation was unprepared.”   ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY’S OPENING...

July 24th marks the 12-year anniversary of the last increase to the federal minimum wage, which has remained stagnant at $7.25 an hour since 2009   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement ahead of tomorrow’s...

4 in 10 women expect the COVID-19 pandemic to have a long-term impact on their finances   The average woman loses over $400,000 over a forty-year career due to the wage gap, and some women of color lose over $1,000,000 due to pay inequality by retirement   Women’s Retirement Protection Act would expand eligibility for...

Senator Murray: “While our ways of working and our workforce may have changed, the need for workers to be able to join together and have a voice in their wages and working conditions—without fear—remains as important as ever.”   (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee,...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, at a mark-up, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, advanced the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021 by voice vote. Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) highlighted how this bill, which was led by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), makes...

Senate votes to confirm Jennifer Abruzzo by a vote of 51-50   Senator Murray: “Jennifer Abruzzo is the type of dedicated public servant who will make sure the NLRB is enforcing the law and protecting the rights of workers, and I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting to discharge her nomination and confirm her as General Counsel of...

Murray discussed progress made so far, the recent uptick in nationwide COVID cases, and stressed urgent need for action against future public health crises   Senator Murray: “Even after we are through this crisis, our work won’t be done. We have to make sure we learn from this history, and take action so we never repeat...

Senator Murray: “Confirming these highly qualified nominees is an important step to reversing the damage of the last four years, rebuilding our country stronger and fairer,  and making our economy truly work for workers and their families.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, during a hearing, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA),...

Senate votes to confirm Jocelyn Samuels by a vote of 52-47   Senate votes to confirm Seema Nanda by a vote of 53-46   Senator Murray: “Workers are the backbone of our economy. That means, every one of us should be fighting for them, and voting to confirm Commissioner Samuels and Ms. Nanda who will fight for them as...

Senate votes to confirm Julie Su by a vote of 50-47   Senator Murray: “With millions out of a job and millions more struggling to get by, it’s clear that workers need a Deputy Secretary of Labor committed to building back a stronger, fairer economy … This is why I’m so glad to support Julie Su’s...

Senator Murray: “It’s clear all of our witnesses are well qualified for the positions they have been nominated for, and I look forward to hearing from them about how we tackle the challenges facing schools and students across the country.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, during a hearing, Senator Patty Murray...