Chair's Press

(Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued a statement on reports confirming that the Department of Education is officially refusing to respond to complaints filed by transgender students under Title IX law.   “I had...

Murray sent letters to 12 major trade associations inquiring what steps are being taken to prevent and address sexual harassment in their industries   As more powerful and famous people come forward with stories of sexual harassment, Senator Murray is seeking information on harassment of millions of women and men whose voices may not be...

Committee hearing brought voices of parents and family care experts to opioid discussion   Senator Murray stressed need to address “ripple effect that impacts entire families and communities”   Senator Murray: “We must confront the challenges of everyone this crisis affects… in partnership with everyone who can...

Last week, news reports revealed the Department of Labor concealed the deeply damaging impacts of its proposed change to the tip rules   Democrats slam the move as another example of the Trump Administration putting corporate interests ahead of workers   Senators: “This is a stark example of how far the Trump Administration is...

Senator Murray: Gig economy puts new face on “damaging trend of erosion in workers’ protections and benefits”   Senator Murray calls for increased accessibility, portability, and security in retirement plans   Almost half of families in the country do not have a retirement account   Senator Murray working on federal...

In December, the National Labor Relations Board held vote to bring joint employer case back to Board, one day before Republican NLRB chair’s term expired   Despite former law firm’s role in case, NLRB member William Emanuel participated in vote   Emanuel gave conflicting answers to Congress on his...

Far too many students and borrowers cannot afford the costs of college, or struggle with the burden of student debt with no end in sight   In hearing, Murray makes the case for helping students afford college at every phase of their education: before they apply, while they’re enrolled, and after they graduate   Murray: “The...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member on the Education and the Workforce Committee, and 122 Democrats submitted a public comment to Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta urging the Department of...

In letter, Members of Congress highlight concerns with OSHA rejecting GAO’s safety and health recommendations for meat and poultry workers   Recommendations were made by GAO after investigation found workers lack access to bathroom facilities, often resulting in health issues   OSHA also rejected longstanding practice to interview...

Senators: Department’s enforcement of student protections “inadequate” and approach to sexual assault investigations so far “concerning”   Last year Secretary DeVos revoked the Department’s previous guidance to colleges on handling sexual assault and Title IX complaints   Senators urge Department 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 on Chairman Alexander’s white paper on higher education accountability as a part of the HELP Committee’s comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher...

News reports reveal the Trump Administration covered up its own data showing its proposed tip rule change would allow employers to steal potentially billions from workers   Women make up two-thirds of tipped wage workers nationwide, and would be particularly hard-hit by this rule   Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray...

Each letter details how many complaints the Department has recently received on the basis of sex   Data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suggests a majority of women experience sexual harassment in the workplace   Senator Murray and her Democratic colleagues recently called on Chairman Alexander to hold hearings on sexual...

Murray repeatedly raised concerns about Fitzgerald’s conflicts of interest and broad recusals from work impacting key public health issues like cancer and opioids   Murray: “Yet another example of this Administration’s dysfunction and questionable ethics”   Murray calls on President Trump to select a new CDC...

In hearing, Murray lays out Democratic priorities for Higher Education Act reauthorization   As HELP Committee begins to negotiations to reauthorize HEA, Murray calls for student-focused reform, including holding all colleges accountable for access and student outcomes when they use taxpayer dollars   Murray: “We cannot allow...

Senator Murray strongly denounces brazenly unconstitutional ban as harmful attempt to turn back the clock on women’s reproductive health care   Proposed ban on abortion after 20 weeks would restrict women’s rights and doctors’ ability to give sound medical opinions   Senator Murray: Voting on bill “exercise in...

In hearing, Murray highlights the need for a variety of solutions to support students, improve access, and encourage responsible innovation   To avoid innovation at the expense of our students, Murray calls for evidence-based experimentation by strengthening ‘experimental site initiatives’ within HEA   Murray stresses...

Sen. Murray criticizes Azar’s views on women’s health as outdated and out of the mainstream    Azar’s background raising drug prices as pharmaceutical executive one of many concerns   Sen. Murray highlights Azar’s support for President Trump’s ideology-driven agenda and health care sabotage Sen. Murray...

“Further evidence of President Trump’s backwards, extreme priorities…will deny women and men across the country basic health care they need”   Murray: Latest Trump action to appease right-wing base and donors “direct attack on a woman’s constitutionally protected right to make her own choices about her own...

In hearing, Murray emphasizes the importance of financial aid for helping students achieve higher education   The Higher Education Act is due for reauthorization, Murray calls for a comprehensive, bipartisan reauthorization   Murray: “By simplifying the financial aid process & making it more transparent we can help more students...