Chair's Press

Murray, Warren, Kuster send letter to Drug Enforcement Administration over delay in action to help people struggling with opioid addiction   Members call out two specific steps to expand treatment access that have gone unresolved despite being on DEA’s agenda for two years   DEA missed October deadline requiring it to increase...

Trump Administration proposes faith-based regulations, allowing for 8 federal agencies to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ communities and women   Murray: “These latest rules are nothing less than a license to discriminate against members of the LGBTQIA+ community and women.”   Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator...

NLRB proposes rule asserting students working for private universities are not employees, denying them the right to join and form unions   Murray, 13 Democratic senators slam rule, noting it will strip students of fundamental rights   Senators: “proposal…will harm working students, many of whom already struggle to attend...

Broad guidance extends tax relief for defrauded student borrowers who took out federal and private loans to attend predatory colleges following multiple requests from Sens. Murray, Wyden and Durbin   Over 18,000 students across the country will receive tax relief for discharged loans taken out to attend predatory colleges   WASHINGTON...

Labor Department finalizes joint employer rule, allowing corporations to avoid responsibility for workers’ rights violations   Murray: “Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, the Trump Administration has once again advanced the interests of those at the very top at the expense of workers”   Washington, D.C....

30 Democratic Senators write to new FDA Commissioner criticizing weak tobacco policy with huge loopholes   Trump Administration policy won’t address menthol flavored e-cigarettes or flavored e-liquids that are not in a cartridge—including those with fruit, candy, and other flavors   Senators: “FDA’s recently...

Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs recently announced it will stop using pay data intended to enforce wage discrimination laws   Decision is contrary to the agency’s mandate to enforce federal laws to protect workers on federal contracts from wage discrimination based on their sex, race, or other...

In major backtrack from promise made last September, Trump Administration announced e-cigarette policy with massive carve-outs   Murray recently voted against FDA Commissioner Dr. Hahn’s nomination over his failure to commit to putting data, science, and public health first with strong action on youth tobacco use   Murray:...

Trump-Pence rule creates new burdens for women seeking insurance that covers comprehensive reproductive health care   Murray: “The last thing people need are more obstacles between them and their health care—and yet President Trump continues to look for new, damaging ways to get in between patients and their care providers and to...

Recently passed spending bill includes SECURE Act, legislation with several provisions to bolster families’ retirement security   Bill includes step Murray has long pressed for to expand access to retirement plans for long-term, part-time workers by changing minimum participation standards   Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S....

Senators say HHS decision to rollback essential nondiscrimination protections runs counter to HHS mission to ‘enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans’   Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and...

Decision leaves health care and protections for millions uncertain as case is returned to judge who previously ruled to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act   Murray: “Today Republicans are closer to getting the health care plan they wanted, in the form of a court ruling that could leave millions of people without the coverage and...

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rescinds long-standing policy opposing mandatory arbitration agreements as contrary to civil rights laws and harmful to workers across the country   Murray: “The last thing an agency tasked with enforcing workers’ rights should do is weaken its stance on predatory corporate practices that...

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 calling for continued work next year to end surprise medical billing. Murray also highlighted the need to address the effects of Republican efforts to undermine...

McFerran’s exit leaves the historically bipartisan board with three Republicans and two empty Democratic seats    Murray: “I’m deeply disappointed by the inaction of the Republicans and I implore them to return to normal process. The NLRB must not become a playing field for partisan politics.”   **WATCH...

Members call on Trump Administration to protect patients and families, uphold the law   Offering junk insurance plans on the state-based marketplace website would violate federal law   Members: “We are calling on you to do your duty and enforce this requirement to protect families who turn to the exchanges for quality, affordable...

HELP Committee advanced the reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act –which included the Adoption Opportunities Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act – with bipartisan support    Murray: “…there is more work to be done to protect vulnerable communities across this country....

Legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law   Bipartisan legislation will permanently fund HBCUs and minority serving institutions, after funding lapsed at the end of September   Legislation amends Senator Jones’ FUTURE Act to include FAFSA Act, legislation that would simplify FAFSA and streamline...

Murray: “While this step is deeply concerning, unfortunately, it’s not surprising—because it is one more in a long list of examples of Secretary DeVos skirting her legal responsibilities to protect students and borrowers.”     Washington, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking...

Senator Murray votes in favor of bipartisan deal to permanently fund HBCUs and minority serving institutions, after funding lapsed at the end of September   Deal amends Senator Jones’ FUTURE Act to include FAFSA Act, legislation that would simplify FAFSA and streamline income-driven repayment   Senator Murray: “I’m very...