Chair's Press

Murray, Scott submitted a public comment opposing the delay of rules that clarify how state protections are applied to students   In delaying this rule, Secretary DeVos is once again putting predatory for-profit colleges ahead of students   Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health,...

Murray sharply criticized President Trump for backing away from campaign promise to negotiate lower prices through Medicare   Murray: “As a candidate, President Trump talked a big game on lowering drug prices, but after 500 days the only health care price he has dropped is his former Secretary.”   Murray: “… your...

Last week, DeVos said her gun safety commission would not look at guns, contradictory to the Administration’s previous statements   DeVos’ commission also held a “public listening session” without giving the public sufficient notice to attend or attending herself   Murray previously requested information on gun...

Since Republican leaders tanked bipartisan negotiations on legislation to roll back President Trump’s health care sabotage and lower costs, Murray has pushed GOP to return to negotiating table   Murray: “I want to work with anyone, from either party, who is ready to focus on lowering costs for patients”   WASHINGTON,...

Democratic heath leaders question large discrepancies between Departments’ analysis and nonpartisan analyses regarding potential damage of rule to expand junk insurance plans   Departments’ analysis is far off from others by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Urban Institute, and Oliver Wyman that show large...

Senator Murray praised bipartisan work to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, highlighting the contributions of colleagues and new steps in the bill   Murray: “The recent resurgence of Ebola in the Congo should serve as a stark reminder that the threats we are working to address in this bill aren’t...

Murray sent letters to associations representing companies in the technology and venture capital industries, inquiring about harassment statistics and steps being taken to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace   Leaders in this sector have made national headlines over the last year for discriminatory and abusive...

Murray, Baldwin, and Gillibrand introduced a resolution opposing new domestic gag rule to restrict Title X family planning funds   New restriction on family planning funds would undermine health care access for millions of patients   Gag rule would interfere with the ability of providers receiving Title X funding to discuss the full range...

Senators Murray and Wyden sent a letter to President Trump questioning his sudden decision to replace Reeder at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation   Reeder’s term was set to expire in 2020, just a few years shy of the projected insolvency of PBGC’s multiemployer program    Senators: “In light of your...

Murray: “This is a long-overdue and much-needed step toward overhauling the way harassment is addressed in the United States Congress.”   Murray: “I also want to make very clear that while this legislation is an important step, it is the first step and cannot be the last. There is so much more we need to do to ensure that no...

Secretary DeVos has sidelined investigators tasked with protecting students from predatory for-profit colleges, according to recent media reports   In letter, 29 Senators urge Department to reverse course by adequately staffing the Student Aid Enforcement Unit’s investigations team and resume investigating fraudulent practices by...

Senator Murray, Senator Smith, and advocates and experts from Planned Parenthood, NFPRHA, and the Guttmacher Institute discussed the impact of the Trump-Pence Administration’s proposed domestic gag rule   Murray released a new report showing the harmful impact Title X restrictions would have on family planning services and women’s...

Senator Murray discussed the challenges facing the health care workforce and vital health workforce training programs targeted to address them   Murray highlighted Washington state’s leadership in addressing workforce needs for seniors and care in rural and underserved communities   President Trump’s budget proposal would have...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the 5-4 Supreme Court decision Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, which ruled employers can ban workers from joining together in a legal dispute when their rights are being...

New domestic gag rule would forbid health care providers who receive federal family planning funds from discussing the full range of reproductive health care options with patients   Murray: “Let me be clear: President Trump and Vice President Pence’s opinions have no place in a woman’s conversations with her doctor about her...

Senator Gillibrand today marked 100 days since House passage of key reforms to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995; Murray joined call for action in Senate   Murray: “…to say we in the Senate are overdue for action is a massive understatement.”   Murray: “… the longer we wait to act, the longer the...

President Trump has nominated Gordon Hartogensis to lead the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation   If confirmed, Hartogensis would replace Director Reeder who was sworn in for a five-year term in 2015   News comes as the nation grapples with multiemployer pension crisis threatening many workers’ retirement...

Senate HELP Committee held second hearing on the 340B program that helps make drugs more affordable for safety net care providers   President Trump delayed a rule to prevent drug companies from overcharging 340B care providers and withdrew guidance that aimed to provide clarity on program rules.   The Trump Administration has cut Medicare...

Murray Urges Senate to Reject Secretary DeVos’ Right Hand Man, Calls for Department of Education to Once Again Stand Up for Students   Murray calls on colleagues to reject Deputy Secretary of Education nominee General Mick Zais   Zais has a controversial history as South Carolina State Superintendent of Education   Like DeVos...

Contract paid lawyer connected to President Trump over one million dollars as pharmaceutical company sought access to White House   Murray: “It’s important that people have the transparency they need to hold their government accountable, and that must include transparency about how money is spent in efforts to gain attention and...