Press Releases

Murray details missteps of Trump Administration’s failed COVID-19 response as death toll tops 200,000   Trump Administration has repeatedly downplayed the crisis while undermining and overruling experts at public health agencies on the frontlines of the nation’s response   Murray introduced the STOP Act yesterday, legislation...

“The secret to this success is that the government — in partnership with private industry — is for the first time developing and manufacturing a vaccine in parallel. In other words, the Operation Warp Speed plan is to manufacture tens of millions of doses of the six vaccine candidates at the same time the clinical trials...

Murray calls out Republicans for prioritizing efforts to attack health care and reproductive rights amid COVID-19 pandemic   Murray: “I can’t believe I have to say this, but we need to be taking steps to make this crisis better—not worse.”   Murray countered by calling for unanimous consent to pass legislation to...

Democrats introduce legislation to fight political interference in the COVID-19 response following barrage of alarming instances of Trump Administration meddling in scientific work   Schumer: “We simply cannot trust this administration to protect the American people, which is why Congress must step in. America will not defeat this virus...

At HELP hearing, Murray pushes Congress to make the financial aid process easier for students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and students whose families have low-incomes   Murray: “The FAFSA must be a tool that expands access to higher education not a barrier that prevents qualified students from getting the...

Murray responds to vaccine plan from Trump Administration that remains silent on crucial questions, including when it comes to researching, developing, reviewing, and manufacturing safe and effective vaccines    Murray: “This is one part of a complicated puzzle that is still missing far too many pieces.”   (Washington,...

“After nearly seven years of work on these issues, it boils down to this: It makes no sense to make it this complicated to apply for federal aid for college. It makes no sense to discourage the very students Congress wants to encourage to attend college and benefit from federal financial aid…The right time to finish this job is now...

Murray: “Paying workers with disabilities a subminimum wage is discrimination—plain and simple—and it’s way past time we repeal this outdated policy.”   (Washington, D.C.) –U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, applauded the...

** Click here for video **   WASHINGTON, September 16, 2020 — United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said Congress needs to break the cycle of “panic, neglect, panic” in response to public health threats. Alexander made his remarks at today’s Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the U.S....

Whistleblower report from ICE nurse alleges refusal to test for COVID-19, mass hysterectomies forced on patients, and medical neglect   Murray calls for investigation by DHS Inspector General      Murray: “This chilling report offers a painful reminder that some of the darkest chapters of our country’s history are...

At HELP hearing, Murray highlights how the college sports industry exploits athletes—many of whom are Black—while coaches and NCAA officials make millions   In her opening remarks, Murray urged Congress to ensure that college athletes are fairly compensated, are protected by health and safety standards, have access to health care,...

“I do not see a good ending to allowing a few student athletes to be paid by commercial interests while most of their teammates are not. If young athletes want to be a part of a team, enjoy the undergraduate experience, learn from coaches who are among the best teachers, and be paid a full scholarship that helps them earn a degree worth $1...

 Murray: “If Secretary Azar believes his responsibility is to the American public and not to President Trump, he should demand Mr. Caputo’s resignation today.”   (Washington, D.C.) –  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee,...

New report details efforts from Trump Administration’s political appointees to manipulate key scientific publications from CDC experts   Murray: “By repeatedly interfering with the work of our public health agencies for political benefit, the Trump Administration is showing a dangerous disregard for truth, facts, science, and most...

Murray: “Democrats have been at the table ready to get to work on real COVID-19 relief for months and we absolutely still are.”   Murray will continue pushing for a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that delivers for students, workers, and families   (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking...

WASHINGTON, September 10, 2020 — Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said “the only way for Congress to help the American people get through the COVID-19 pandemic is for Democrats and Republicans to work together” after Democrats blocked a proposal to...

Murray calls for urgent action, transparency following deadline for manufacturers of e-cigarettes and other deemed tobacco products to file marketing applications with FDA   Murray: “Now that this important and long-delayed deadline has finally arrived, we must hold the Trump Administration accountable to acting with the urgency that the...

At HELP hearing on vaccines, Murray calls for public health experts to explain how they will resist political interference from President Trump   Murray spelled out steps FDA and CDC should take to be transparent about the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines   Murray continued pushing for comprehensive, national vaccines...

Murray: “We'll know Senate Republicans are serious about COVID-19 relief when they stop insisting on harmful policies that have zero chance of becoming law and zero ability to meet our communities' deep needs. Until then, they’re still wasting time people don’t have.”   (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty...

“The true miracle of modern medicine is vaccines, which can prevent humans from acquiring the disease at all. That is why today in all 50 states and the District of Columbia schoolchildren are required to take vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, rubella, and chicken pox before entering school. The vaccination will...