Chair's Press

PAID Leave Act builds on bipartisan agreement in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to ensure U.S. has a federal paid leave policy    Under new PAID Leave Act, all workers will be allowed to take advantage of 14 paid sick days and 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave   Bill will fully and quickly reimburse...

Senator Murray supports both Democratic nominees, highlighting their extensive experience and qualifications   Nominations come after years of Republican obstruction has left both agencies unbalanced   Murray: “I’m relieved that these nominations have finally arrived, but let me be perfectly clear—it should never have...

Legislation Would Provide Free Diagnostic Testing and Related Health Care Services for Americans Receiving Tests to Confirm Coronavirus Infection   (Washington, D.C.) –Yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined Senators Tina Smith...

Yesterday Sen. Murray sent Vice President Pence a letter calling on him to appoint an individual solely responsible for immediately improving testing efforts   The Administration has since announced Admiral Giroir, HHS Assistant Secretary, will be in charge of testing efforts among public health service agencies   Murray to Pence:...

Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act will provide resources to assist early childhood programs, K-12 schools, and institutions of higher education     The bill follows Senator Murray’s ongoing efforts to push the Department of Education to provide guidance to schools in the wake of widespread school...

DOL finalizes rule to create duplicative industry-recognized apprenticeship that don’t include the same crucial protections as registered apprenticeships   Senator Murray: “This rule undermines Registered Apprenticeship Programs in favor of an untested system that that lacks sufficient accountability and crucial worker...

Senators: "Pregnant people have historically been left out of research agendas and clinical trials due to the added complexities of ensuring their safety and that of their children"   Senators: "We urge you to account for the unique risks and concerns of populations that have historically been excluded from pandemic research...

As coronavirus continues to impact workers, Department of Labor still absent from the President’s Coronavirus Task Force   Murray, Democrats push Secretary of Labor Scalia for answers, urge him to advocate for workers   Senators: “We call on you – as the lead federal government official responsible for the protection and...

Murray, Democrats push for DeVos to address school lunches, online learning, and federal financial aid and student loans   Senators: “We urge the U.S. Department of Education to consider several serious issues related to school closure.”   (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the...

(Washington, D.C.) – Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter today to Vice President Pence regarding the mass confusion and lack of clarity around the availability of coronavirus testing and out-of-pocket...

Murray, DeLauro bill would immediately require employers to provide workers with 14 days of paid sick leave to be used during a public health emergency, including current crisis   Everett, WA: “Paid sick leave an effective tool against Covid-19, ” The Herald Editorial Board   Orlando, FL: “Coronavirus sick time: Congress...

The senators urged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a comprehensive Emergency Temporary Standard to protect all workers against the coronavirus outbreak   (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today led a group of colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Labor...

Bill would require participants and retirees to be provided critical information when offered a lump-sum buyout of pension benefits   Lump-sum buyouts often provide less money than lifetime pension benefits, and transfer all the risk from employers to retirees and participants   One year ago, the Trump Administration announced it...

Murray, DeLauro bill would immediately require employers to provide workers with 14 days of paid sick leave to be used during a public health emergency, including current crisis   Outside of public health emergencies, legislation requires employers to provide 7 days of accrued sick leave, building off Murray, DeLauro Healthy Families...

Investigation was launched following request from Senator Murray and Senate Democrats   Murray: “It was clear from the start that the Trump Administration’s family separation policy was utterly inhumane, and this report shows how the Administration’s incompetence caused further harm to families.”   HHS OIG:...

Senator Murray writes to Vice President Pence demanding answers about delays and issues with coronavirus diagnostic testing   Senator Murray grilled FDA Commissioner Hahn at a HELP hearing earlier this week about the test production issues   Murray: “I am extremely frustrated by how the Trump Administration has handled the ...

After request from Senators Murray and Murphy, FDA finalizes rule first proposed in 2016   Rule will finally end the practice of using electrical shocks to punish children and adults with disabilities   Murray: “I’m glad FDA finally took this important step to protect children and adults with...

  ABC: Washington State senator 'frustrated' residents can't get tested for new coronavirus   Spokesman-Review: ‘Way behind the 8-ball’: Sen. Murray decries COVID-19 testing lag time, shortage as virus spreads   The Stranger: Patty Murray Grills Trump Administration Over Seattle’s Coronavirus Outbreak: “This...

Amid coronavirus outbreak, Murray, Wyden and 37 Democratic Senators urge the Trump Administration to prioritize patients’ access to care in order to promote public health   Senators demand Trump Health Department reverse efforts to promote junk plans and undermine Medicaid, and commit to ensuring that any potential coronavirus vaccine is...

At hearing with health officials from the CDC, NIH, HHS and FDA, Senator Murray presses officials about ability to quickly scale up testing   Senator Murray also asks about public health implications of not guaranteeing paid medical leave   Hearing comes following reports of new cases across the country, declaration of state of emergency...