Chair's Press

  Ethics agreement of CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald would likely require recusal from involvement in some issues relating to cancer, prescription drug monitoring programs   CDC has already sent deputies to testify before Congress on opioid crisis due to Director Fitzgerald’s ongoing conflicts of interest   Murray: “I am...

Back in October, President Trump rolled back birth control mandate under the ACA undermining preventive care for millions of women nationwide—LINK   In new letter, 37 Senate Democrats call on Administration to rescind President Trump’s action allowing employers to roll back health care coverage for...

Senate HELP Committee holds hearing on Education and Labor nominations    Highlighting President Trump’s harmful decisions on civil rights and worker health and safety, Senator Murray pressed nominees on their commitment to uphold mission of their Departments and protect students and workers   Murray: “Students, workers,...

(Washington, D.C.) – Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s announcement it is considering rescinding an Obama Administration rule that restricted employers from stealing workers’ tips in...

Bill Would Make At Least Four Million Workers Newly Eligible for Overtime Pay   WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Mark Takano (D-CA), today introduced legislation to make at least four million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay when...

Murray: “We have a record of solving big issues in education with broad, bipartisan legislation, so I hope Republicans abandon these ill-conceived efforts”   (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following...

Senate HELP Committee holds hearing on nomination of Alex Azar for Secretary of Health and Human Services     Murray called nomination an opportunity to turn page on Tom Price era, “put aside extreme politics” plaguing HHS   But Murray raised serious concerns with Azar’s record, statements on prescription drug...

Democrats: HHS “seems intent to replace a high quality evidence-based program that meets the needs of diverse communities and populations around the country with a single ideological approach that fails to meet the needs of young people”   HHS’s November 2017 response to Democrats’ July 2017 letter failed to answer key...

At FAFSA simplification hearing, Senator Murray highlighted a number of issues college students face to today, urged committee to take holistic approach in reauthorizing the Higher Education Act (HEA)   Murray also cited the need for FAFSA simplification to be included in HEA reauthorization to help lower the hurdles students face to receive...

Secretary DeVos, among other cabinet members, has investments in offshore accounts based in countries recognized as “tax havens”   Paradise Papers reveal Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross’ offshore investments connect to Putin’s family and Russian nationals   In letter, Senator Murray asks Department of Education...

  Senators Murray, Brown introduce bill to protect workers’ freedom to negotiate and speak up, stop companies from retaliating against workers   The WAGE Act would strengthen protections for all workers and would penalize companies that break the law by attempting to stop workers from exercising their fundamental right to collective...

Murray says Senate Republicans are “sneaking devastating health care changes into a partisan bill at the last minute;” “completely counter to the bipartisan spirit in which we worked on our stabilization bill” Murray criticizes Senate Republicans for jamming partisan health changes into fast-track tax reform at last...

Senate HELP Committee holds hearing with Surgeon General on bringing communities together to prioritize public health   At hearing, Murray encouraged public health efforts that: promote physical activity, improve access to healthy foods, support women’s health, & expand on science-based ways to reduce tobacco use   Murray called...

Murray: “It would make absolutely no sense to stabilize health care with one hand while devastating it with the other”   WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on reports that Senate...

Secretary DeVos has proposed only providing partial relief for students who were defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges   In new letter, Members of Congress express concern that Secretary DeVos may block full debt relief for student loan borrowers who were cheated out of their savings and education   Members of Congress: “The...

As negotiations begin to rewrite “borrower defense” rule to help defrauded students, Murray and DeLauro urge Secretary DeVos to open all meetings to the public   Secretary DeVos has a long history of undermining protections for defrauded students, and has refused to provide relief to students of now-defunct Corinthian...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on news that President Trump nominated pharmaceutical executive Alex Azar to the role of Secretary of Health and Human Services. “The Trump Administration...

In new letter, Senate Democrats admonish Trump Administration for preventing young women from obtaining access to reproductive health care while in federal custody   Reports indicate ORR Director personally interfered with Jane Doe, other minors’ attempts to obtain abortions   Senators: “We remain concerned by the actions of...

Focus on Key Decisionmakers:  Was White House Involved? Trump Administration Decision to Pull ACA Enrollment Outreach Ads Cost $1.1 Million Text of the letter available here (PDF) Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today called on Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Eric...

Trump Administration, CDC have failed to respond to inquiries by Democrats on pandemic flu preparedness plans   In new letter, Democrats request immediate information from CDC on preparedness plans; members are concerned Trump Administration is not prepared given “lack of attention to public health preparedness & response...