Chair's Press

Murray calls out Republicans for prioritizing efforts to attack health care and reproductive rights amid COVID-19 pandemic   Murray: “I can’t believe I have to say this, but we need to be taking steps to make this crisis better—not worse.”   Murray countered by calling for unanimous consent to pass legislation to...

Democrats introduce legislation to fight political interference in the COVID-19 response following barrage of alarming instances of Trump Administration meddling in scientific work   Schumer: “We simply cannot trust this administration to protect the American people, which is why Congress must step in. America will not defeat this virus...

At HELP hearing, Murray pushes Congress to make the financial aid process easier for students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and students whose families have low-incomes   Murray: “The FAFSA must be a tool that expands access to higher education not a barrier that prevents qualified students from getting the...

Murray responds to vaccine plan from Trump Administration that remains silent on crucial questions, including when it comes to researching, developing, reviewing, and manufacturing safe and effective vaccines    Murray: “This is one part of a complicated puzzle that is still missing far too many pieces.”   (Washington,...

Murray: “Paying workers with disabilities a subminimum wage is discrimination—plain and simple—and it’s way past time we repeal this outdated policy.”   (Washington, D.C.) –U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, applauded the...

Whistleblower report from ICE nurse alleges refusal to test for COVID-19, mass hysterectomies forced on patients, and medical neglect   Murray calls for investigation by DHS Inspector General      Murray: “This chilling report offers a painful reminder that some of the darkest chapters of our country’s history are...

At HELP hearing, Murray highlights how the college sports industry exploits athletes—many of whom are Black—while coaches and NCAA officials make millions   In her opening remarks, Murray urged Congress to ensure that college athletes are fairly compensated, are protected by health and safety standards, have access to health care,...

 Murray: “If Secretary Azar believes his responsibility is to the American public and not to President Trump, he should demand Mr. Caputo’s resignation today.”   (Washington, D.C.) –  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee,...

New report details efforts from Trump Administration’s political appointees to manipulate key scientific publications from CDC experts   Murray: “By repeatedly interfering with the work of our public health agencies for political benefit, the Trump Administration is showing a dangerous disregard for truth, facts, science, and most...

Murray: “Democrats have been at the table ready to get to work on real COVID-19 relief for months and we absolutely still are.”   Murray will continue pushing for a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that delivers for students, workers, and families   (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking...

Murray calls for urgent action, transparency following deadline for manufacturers of e-cigarettes and other deemed tobacco products to file marketing applications with FDA   Murray: “Now that this important and long-delayed deadline has finally arrived, we must hold the Trump Administration accountable to acting with the urgency that the...

At HELP hearing on vaccines, Murray calls for public health experts to explain how they will resist political interference from President Trump   Murray spelled out steps FDA and CDC should take to be transparent about the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines   Murray continued pushing for comprehensive, national vaccines...

Murray: “We'll know Senate Republicans are serious about COVID-19 relief when they stop insisting on harmful policies that have zero chance of becoming law and zero ability to meet our communities' deep needs. Until then, they’re still wasting time people don’t have.”   (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty...

Murray: “Especially when it comes to the disparities that harm so many students of color, students with disabilities and students whose families have low incomes, we’ve got to have data that shows us where we’re falling short so we can better support those students.”   Murray: “But let me be clear—if...

Murray and Schumer: “After so many examples of political interference at FDA and CDC over the past few weeks, we shouldn’t let several more weeks pass before we get answers. We are losing valuable time to prevent costly mistakes.”   Senators vow to keep pressing FDA and CDC about political interference   (Washington,...

Following recent reports of political interference at FDA and CDC, Murray presses for commitment to ensure vaccine review is rigorous, transparent, and science-driven   Senator Murray warns FDA Commissioner against rushing COVID-19 vaccine after he suggested FDA could issue an emergency use authorization before Phase III clinical trials are...

Murray, Schumer, and colleagues write to Secretary Azar condemning the Trump Administration’s continued political interference in COVID-19 response   Democrats: “More than ever, public trust in our core public health agencies must be fiercely protected.”   Over the past week, President Trump has undermined FDA with...

New Government Accountability Office report looks at barriers women face in obtaining paperwork required to divide pensions or retirement accounts following a divorce   Murray wrote to GAO  in 2018 urging them to look at the process for obtaining Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)   While more than a third of adults over 50...

Murray demands briefing from Trump Administration regarding move to stop FDA from regulating laboratory-developed tests   Trump Administration’s move stops FDA from regulating tests designed, manufactured, and used within a single facility, such as hospitals, or academic and clinical laboratories   Decision risks reliability of...

Murray: “The American public needs to have absolutely no doubt FDA is basing its decisions on science, not the President’s conspiracy theories.”   To ensure public confidence, Murray urges transparency and scientific rigor from FDA in review of treatments and vaccines for safety and efficacy   (Washington, D.C.)...