Chair's Press

Murray and Democrats submit comment letter detailing strong objections to health department rule allowing providers to refuse patients care   Democrats call on Secretary Azar to withdraw proposed rule “in its entirety”   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Led by Senator Murray, 18 Democrats today submitted comments to the...

McConnell blocked previous bipartisan health care bill from coming to a vote—despite wide support on both sides of the aisle—and held votes on repeal legislation and partisan GOP tax bill instead   Earlier this week, Republicans announced a new partisan health care bill, without giving Democrats in negotiations any...

After workers around the country organized and made their voices heard, Murray worked with Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta on an agreement to ensure corporations cannot steal workers’ tips   Deal is included in Omnibus spending agreement, and is supported by worker groups   Murray: “When President Trump proposed a rule...

New language affirms HHS authority to research gun violence   Senator Murray has sent a letter to Secretary Azar for details on his stated plan to prioritize gun violence research   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee,...

Murray will keep working to get Republicans back to the table; push for policies that lower costs for families   Murray: “It’s unfortunate that Senator McConnell and Speaker Ryan have time and time again rejected bipartisan work on health care in favor of partisan health care politics, and chosen politically-driven show votes over...

President Trump considering Dr. Robert Redfield, an HIV/AIDS researcher with questionable public health experience, for CDC director   Dr. Redfield has a history advocating controversial practices—like mandatory HIV testing—that go against scientific consensus and raise serious concerns about patient privacy and...

Food and Drug Administration put out a formal request for input on a proposed regulation to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes   (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 in response to the Food and...

At HELP hearing on 340B, Murray calls out Trump Administration’s steps to undermine program that makes drugs more affordable   President Trump’s CMS has slashed payments to safety net hospitals participating in a program that helps make drugs more affordable   President Trump has delayed HRSA rule to prevent drug companies...

Senator Murray and Senate Democrats called on Secretary Azar to fire Scott Lloyd as Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement amid ongoing concerns about his ideological decisions to interfere with women’s reproductive freedoms   As Director, Lloyd has implemented a self-professed “ad hoc” process for impeding young...

By trying to invalidate state laws that provide critical protections for students, Secretary DeVos is making it easier for predatory corporations to take advantage of students already drowning in debt   DeVos’ move attempts to invalidate a recently passed Washington state bill aimed at protecting students and helping them pay back...

In sixth HELP Committee hearing on opioid crisis, Senator Murray emphasizes the need for federal support of state innovation   Senator Murray: “… while this a national problem, empowering local officials with the tools they need is one of the most important solutions.”   Senator Murray highlighted innovative LEAD...

New report on 21-32 year-olds finds only one in twenty are saving enough for retirement—most have no retirement savings   Most who can participate in employer-sponsored plans do, but access and eligibility are common...

Department of Education’s Inspector General sent a letter to Congress recommending strengthening accountability measures in HEA reauthorization   IG warned loosening accountability without a proven substitute would increase risks to students and borrowers, and could raise costs and increase defaults   Murray: “I look forward...

Senate HELP Committee held hearing on President Trump’s nominee for National Labor Relations Board, John Ring   In opening remarks, Senator Murray highlighted need to give workers a fair shot by protecting workers’ rights and getting back to core mission of nation’s labor laws   Murray also cited concerns with recent...

Set of proposals would modernize, enhance, and protect Social Security   Social Security, passed 80 years ago, was designed for single-income...

In newly released documents, Office of Refugee Resettlement Director Scott Lloyd admitted to an “ad hoc” process for personally interfering with abortion access for young, unaccompanied women   Murray: “As a woman, a mother, and a grandmother, I am deeply concerned for the young women entrusted to this office’s care...

In January, Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald resigned as CDC Director following a series of recusals and issues stemming from her financial conflicts of interest   Led by Senator Murray, HELP Committee Democrats sent President Trump key criteria they will look for in a qualified candidate to fill the role   Senate Democrats promise any candidate...

In markup, HELP Committee moved forward four bipartisan bills to support the health and wellbeing of families and communities   (Washington, D.C.) – Today, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Executive Session, Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks commending the progress on several...

Murray: The Vice President “can be sure women nationwide will fight each and every day against efforts to turn back the clock on our constitutional rights in our country”   WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and highest...

Senator Murray wrote to Secretary Azar asking him to elaborate on his plan to make gun violence research “a priority” for HHS   Dickey Amendment states the CDC cannot use federal funds “to promote or advocate gun control”   Murray has long believed Dickey Amendment “does not prohibit objective, evidence-based...