Chair's Press

Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act of 2019 tackles economic barriers that can prevent survivors of domestic violence from taking steps to keep themselves and their families safe   Murray: “No survivor of domestic violence should feel forced to choose between their safety and their paycheck, their job, or their ability to...

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 today on Secretary DeVos’ proposal to create tax credits for privatization vouchers.   “Secretary DeVos keeps pushing her anti-public school agenda despite...

Murray: “On so many issues where President Trump wants to do damage and hurt families, Ms. Rao is right behind him with a rubber stamp. Just like Justice Kavanaugh—and so many others President Trump has nominated to the bench.”   Under Rao’s leadership, the Trump Administration has proposed rules attacking rights...

The Child Care for Working Families Act, introduced by Senator Murray and Representative Scott, would ensure high-quality, affordable child care for working families across the country   Bill has 35 Senate cosponsors and 98 cosponsors in the House of Representatives   Child Care for Working Families Act would create 770,000 child care...

Murray, Shaheen, Duckworth, Hirono, and Smith speak out against bill that threatens medical providers with jail time for letting medical standards—not politics—guide care, and interferes with women’s deeply personal medical decisions   Murray: “This bill is government interference in women’s health care, in...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement after a court ruled that federal prosecutors in the case against serial child abuser Jeffrey Epstein broke the law by hiding information about his plea deal from survivors of...

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 the Trump-Pence Administration’s rule making it illegal for health care providers at clinics that receive Title X family planning program funds to refer...

11 Senate Democrats urge Department to explain how new apprenticeship program is within the bounds of the law   Last week, Department of Labor cancelled an announcement of new apprenticeship funds; reports suggest turmoil surrounding Trump Administration apprenticeship initiative   Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray...

Democratic health leaders: “If implemented, the policies in the proposed rule would result in thousands of people losing coverage, millions of dollars in premium increases, higher out-of-pocket costs even for those with employer coverage, and even tighter restrictions on women’s access to coverage for reproductive health services than...

 Sens. Murray, Harris, and Hassan, and Rep. Cummings question the Trump Administration’s review of a rule that would restrict women’s access to care and institute a domestic gag rule on health care providers.   Washington, D.C.—Today, Senator Patty Murray, the Ranking Member of the Senate Health,...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on Senator McConnell’s announcement of a show vote on anti-abortion legislation leading medical organizations have vocally opposed.   “This bill is...

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 report released by the Department of Education’s independent watchdog, the Office of Inspector General, which found internal failures at the Department to...

Senator Murray and Congressman Scott ask Government Accountability Office to examine cybersecurity of the private retirement system   Members call for oversight of policies to protect plan participants, and their personal data, from cyberthreats   As of 2017 over $5 trillion dollars are held in defined contribution plans like...

At HELP hearing, Senator Murray highlights the need to make sure patients living with pain can access the treatments they need    20 million people suffer from persistent chronic pain that interferes with their work and daily activities   Murray: “We have to find responsible, comprehensive solutions for pain management that...

Senators Murray and Alexander send bipartisan letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health asking about efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence as multiple states face outbreaks of measles   Already this year, 79 measles cases have been confirmed, following...

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray issued the following statement on the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcement that its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has opened an investigation into the DOJ’s prosecution of serial child rapist Jeffrey Epstein.   “As I’ve made clear, it’s crucial...

Survivors’ Access to Supportive Care Act helps develop national standards of care for survivors of sexual assault and tackle barriers they face when seeking care   2016 GAO report requested by Senator Murray found major barriers for survivors seeking care after sexual assault   SASCA introduced in Senate with more...

At HELP hearing, Senator Murray highlights innovative primary care approaches in Washington state driving down health costs and improving outcomes   Murray emphasized the importance of addressing barriers to primary care access like cost, distance, and language   Murray: “While primary care providers can play a critical role in...

Murray leads HELP Committee Democrats in writing to pharmaceutical companies demanding explanation of rising insulin prices   Diabetes costs have risen 26 percent since 2012, making it the most costly chronic condition in the country   One-in-four diabetes patients have reported rationing medication because of cost   House Energy and...

Senator Murray, Chairman Scott, and Chair DeLauro Warn DeVos’ New Acting Inspector General Could Block Investigations into Education Department Actions   WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Congressman Bobby Scott...