Press Releases

Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held its nomination hearing for Rajesh Nayak to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy, Taryn Mackenzie Williams to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, and Doug Parker to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for...

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator, Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), and Donald McEachin (D-Va.) reintroduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act,...

Senate HELP and House Energy and Commerce Committees Issue Request for Information on public option as they work to craft new legislation   Poll shows 7 in 10 Americans support a public health insurance option—including a majority of Republicans   Murray and Pallone: “A federal public option will help guarantee...

Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed six bipartisan bills, including legislation to improve maternal care and to provide mental health support for health care professionals. The bills passed during today’s executive session include the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, the Rural...

Senate HELP Committee voted unanimously to pass six bipartisan health and labor bills   Maternal mortality bills will establish new grant programs, improve demographic data, and address inequities in maternal health care   Committee also passed the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act to address the mental health needs of...

The American Families Plan, modeled off of Chairman Scott and Senator Murray’s Child Care for Working Families Act, would help working parents return to the workforce   ICYMI: Senator Murray’s op-ed in Ms. Magazine: “That Jobs Report Didn’t Surprise Working Parents. It’s Past Time to Make Child Care Affordable for...

Senate votes 50-48 to undo Trump Administration’s EEOC rule to allow employers to delay or deny workers justice when they’ve experienced discrimination on the job    Schumer, Murray led Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to restore a fair discrimination settlement process at EEOC    (Washington, D.C.)...

Murray makes case for paid leave in President Biden’s American Families Plan   United States is the only developed country in the world that doesn’t guarantee paid leave, and 4 out of 5 private sector workers don’t have paid leave   Senator Murray: “It is far past time to make progress, and it is far past time we...

 In letter, Murray, Democrats support HHS Secretary’s proposed Title X rule calling it a “vital step in reversing the devastating loss of Title X services caused by the 2019 Title X regulations.”   Senator Murray, Senate Democrats: Proposed rule will “ensure patients have widespread, affordable access to the...

Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing entitled, “Paid Leave for Working Families: Examining Access, Options, and Impacts.” Ranking Member Richard Burr’s Prepared Opening Statement: “Good morning. Thank you Chair Murray for scheduling this hearing to examine paid...

Senator Murray: “We want a country where everyone can make the best choice for themselves about pregnancy and parenting and where everyone can get the abortion care they need—regardless of who they are, how much money they make or how they get their health care—so I will fight this every step of the way.”   Washington,...

Biden Administration announced investment of $7.4 billion from American Rescue Plan to hire and train public health workers to respond to COVID-19 and begin to build the public health workforce for the future   Murray has fought for public health funding, and proposed legislation to end the cycle of crisis and complacency in public...

Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing entitled, “Retirement Security: Building a Better Future.” Ranking Member Burr’s Prepared Opening Statement: “Good morning.  Thank you Chair Murray for scheduling this hearing to highlight the need for Americans to save more for...

EEOC Commissioner nominee Jocelyn Samuels advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 14-8   Solicitor for the Department of Labor nominee Seema Nanda advanced out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 14-8   General Counsel of the NLRB nominee Jennifer Abruzzo receives a vote of 11-11, awaits a full Senate vote to discharge the...

Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing entitled, “An Update from Federal Officials on Efforts to Combat COVID-19.” This is the Committee’s second hearing with federal officials on the COVID-19 pandemic in the 117th Congress. WATCH: Ranking Member Burr delivers opening remarks...

Senator Murray: “It shouldn’t matter if you are undocumented or a DACA recipient—every student struggling because of this pandemic deserves access to emergency aid that can make all the difference.”   Last year, Senator Murray pushed the Trump Administration to follow Congressional intent and ensure undocumented...

Murray discussed progress made so far, and emphasized how addressing outbreaks in India and across the world is critical to protecting U.S. families from COVID-19   Senator Murray: “We have come a long way these last few months. But even as we are encouraged by the progress so far, we are all keenly aware that more work lies ahead...

Murray, Scott ask GAO to review target-date funds, a common default investment option for employer-sponsored retirement plans   Over $1.5 trillion is invested in target-date funds   Chairs: “The millions of families who trust their financial futures to target-date funds, need to know these programs are working as advertised and...

Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement it will support waiving intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines: “The partnerships developing and...