Chair's Press

Senator Murray: “Tipped workers in the restaurant industry and beyond are … on front-lines of the COVID pandemic, risking exposure to the virus and facing increased levels of harassment and a decline in tips.”   Senator Murray: “These workers desperately need relief and protection, but instead the Trump Administration...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the announcement that President-elect Biden has nominated Dr. Miguel Cardona to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education:   “Students,...

Legislation builds on WA state law prohibiting surprise billing, expands protections to even more patients in the state and across the country   Murray: “No patient seeking the care they need should get hit with an unexpected, exorbitant bill for out-of-network care.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty...

End-of-year package includes provisions from Senator Murray’s Lower Health Care Costs Act to tear down barriers that keep cheaper generic drugs off the market   Murray to continue pressing for additional impactful steps to bring down drug costs for patients—including Medicare negotiation   Murray: “After years of...

  New COVID package passed by Senate includes $22.4 billion in new testing funds   Package would provide $8.75 billion for distribution of vaccines, and $23 billion for development and procurement of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical supplies   Package designates dollars for high-risk and underserved populations,...

Murray: “ At a time when we absolutely need to be listening to experts and having them lead our response to this pandemic, nominating an experienced public health official like Dr. Murthy to return as Surgeon General sends exactly the right message.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking...

Becerra has fought tobacco companies responsible for rising youth tobacco use, opioid companies connected to the addiction crisis, and drug companies that have blocked cheaper generic competition   Becerra was a key leader in passing the Affordable Care Act in Congress, and has led efforts to defend the law in court against the Trump...

Murray and Scott: “People are looking for reliable help as they try to navigate the painful economic fallout of this pandemic—but this rule will make that unbiased help even harder to find.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and...

FDA granted an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine last Friday   Reporting revealed the Trump Administration turned down an option this summer to pre-order additional doses of Pfizer’s vaccine   Senators: “We are concerned the failure to secure an adequate supply of vaccines will needlessly prolong...

Murray: “To go from vaccines on shelves to vaccinations in arms, we are going to have to roll up our sleeves—literally and figuratively.”   Murray: “The undertaking ahead… is enormous, and I remain deeply concerned the Trump Administration’s preparations so far are not adequate for the task at...

New bipartisan legislation would build on strong state laws like Washington state’s to expand protections and end surprise medical bills for all patients, without increasing premiums   Murray on the need to swiftly pass surprise billing legislation: “Getting this done is especially important right now, because we have seen during...

Legislation Will Protect Patients from Surprise Medical Bills and Establish Fair Framework to Resolve Disputes Between Providers and Insurers    Washington, D.C. – Today, key House and Senate Committee leaders announced a bipartisan agreement on legislation to protect patients from surprise medical bills and establish a fair...

Recent independent study shows emergency paid leave policies reduced COVID-19 infections; and separate analysis shows that the polices cost far less than originally projected   Lawmakers: “Without action from Congress, paid sick days and family leave for an estimated twenty-two million American workers will expire at the end of the year,...

Murray: “As this pandemic rages on, it’s essential that we not only give schools the resources they need to weather this storm—but also ensure states and school districts can carry out this critical law.”   (Washington, D.C.) – On the 5th Anniversary of the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) being...

Murray on Becerra for HHS: “Xavier Becerra’s long record of fighting for patients makes him an excellent choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.”   Murray on slate of COVID-related personnel announcements: “This selection of strong candidates for key roles on his COVID-19 team shows that...

Senator Murray: “President Trump not only has the authority to avoid this chaos, but promised borrowers that come December 1 he would extend the relief. Well, December is here and it’s time to follow through on that promise.”   (Washington, D.C.) – Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health,...

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and House Education and Labor...

(Washington, D.C.)—Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after Education Department Secretary Betsy DeVos sent letters to the Members announcing the Department’s...

In a letter, Senator Murray urged GSA Administrator Emily Murphy to put politics aside and end the unprecedented delay in transition that is undermining our federal response to COVID, which has already claimed over 250,000 lives     Senator Murray to Administrator Murphy: “It is completely unacceptable to delay the critical work to...

Murray makes clear the Trump Administration’s latest health care announcements won’t undo the damage or erase the legacy of four years of health care attacks   Despite promises, Trump Administration failed to lower drug prices which have continued to rise during his time in office   Murray: “President Trump had four...